Since the Eagles 34-29 win over the Packers in Brazil, the offense simply hasn’t looked the same. The team has looked flat on that side of the ball and struggles to make big plays downfield. Luckily, the team will be getting reinforcements. A particular Eagles wide receiver looks poised to return to the lineup soon. How will his return impact the state of play?
A.J. Brown Teases Return
The Eagles are currently on bye this week, but Brown took to Instagram to seemingly tease his return soon. The Eagles wide receiver put up a post of Batman looking at his suit with the caption, “My turn.” This appears to be a reference to Brown’s “Swole Batman” nickname given to him by teammate Darius Slay.
Brown has missed the last three weeks after he popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury. If Brown is truly teasing his return, he could be a spark of life that the offense desperately needs.
Brown’s Background
To put it simply, Brown has been a machine since entering the league. Brown has split the first six years of his career between the Titans and Eagles and has quickly established himself as one of the best receivers in the league. In his rookie year, he was third in Offensive Rookie of the Year votes with a 1,051-yard effort and eight touchdowns. We continued this trajectory throughout his career and, to date, has only finished a season with under 1,000 yards receiving once.
Ever since being traded to Philly, though, the guy has been a different beast. 2022 was a true coming-out party for Brown. He had a career-high 1,496 yards and eleven touchdowns earning him Pro Bowl and All Pro recognition. He followed this up with another season of over 1,400 yards in 2023.
What really separates Brown, though, is his big play ability downfield. In three of his first five full seasons, Brown averaged 15 yards or more per reception. Even in the two seasons where it was under that mark, Brown still averaged over a first down per catch with 13 yards.
How The Eagles Wide Receiver will change the Offense?
Ever since he was sidelined in week 2 The Eagles have lacked a feared playmaker downfield in the receiving game. The only consistent threat for a big play at any given moment in a game throughout the season so far has been Saquon Barkley. The Birds are going to need more than just him if they want to get back to looking like the explosive offense they were in week 1. If his yards per catch say anything, a healthy dose of Brown is just what the doctor ordered.
The last time he saw in-game action, Brown did not disappoint. He had five catches for 119 yards and a 67-yard touchdown. It will be very refreshing to see Brown back on the field providing big plays for the offense.
Main Image: Kim Klement Neitzel – USA Today Sports
