Eagles Notebook: Without Brown and Evans, Eagles’ safety net is thinning

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Eagles Notebook: Without Brown and Evans, Eagles’ safety net is thinning

A.J. Brown was one of top 5 targeted receivers in Week 3

Eagles safety Sydney Brown, left, breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (13) in the first half last Monday. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

By BOB GROTZ | rgrotz@delcotimes.com | The Delaware County Daily Times

PUBLISHED: September 28, 2023 at 7:11 p.m. | UPDATED: September 28, 2023 at 7:12 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA — Safeties Sydney Brown and Justin Evans sat out another practice Thursday, casting doubt on their availability Sunday when the Eagles oppose the Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.

Brown has an ailing hamstring, Evans a neck injury. Additionally, wide receiver DeVonta Smith was given the day off due to an illness.

Discouraging as that was, Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick had the cast removed from a thumb that was surgically repaired during training camp.

Reddick, who recorded 16.5 sacks last season, declined to use the cast for his lack of sacks this season. The veteran has three pressures and is still in search of his first sack.

"I’m not going to make any excuses, that’s not what I do, but I’m extremely happy to be out of it, I’ll say that,” Reddick said. “(Opponents) are are chipping us at an alarming rate, which is expected. Not just me, but in general. We had three guys in the D-end room alone who had double-digit sacks last year, so our edges are being chipped at a high rate, guys are staying shallow in the pocket which is opening a lot of opportunities for the DTs. But things will start changing soon.

"They can’t block everybody. They can’t double-team everybody. Guys are going to start getting more one on one opportunities and chance and everybody will be able to make plays.”

The Eagles have six sacks in three games, with defensive end Josh Sweat and tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter logging 1.5 sacks apiece.

With 36 quarterback pressures, the Eagles are tied for the league lead with the 49ers and Packers. Carter leads the Birds with six hurries. Sweat tops the Eagles with six quarterback hits.

Elsewhere on the injury front punt returner Britain Covey (hamstring) was back and fully participated in practice while defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (knee), guard Cam Jurgens (groin) and wide receiver Quez Watkins (hamstring) were limited.

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Whatever A.J. Brown mentioned during his sideline "discussion” with Hurts two games ago certainly didn’t hurt his usage last Monday.

Only Davante Adams, Keenan Allen and Ja’Marr Chase were targeted more in Week 3 around the league than Brown, who got 14 chances in the win over the Bucs.

Adams and Allen both were targeted 20 times, Chase 15 times. Adams had 13 receptions for 172 yards and two TDs. Allen had 18 catches for 215 yards. Chase came up with 12 grabs for 141 yards.

Brown had nine receptions for 131 yards.

When Brown is above nine targets in a game, his teams are 14-2 (.875) since the 2021 season, topping all qualified wide receivers in that category.

The good news for Brown entering this weekend is he’s averaged 5.9 yards after the catch since joining the Eagles, sixth in the league. Only the Bears allow more yards after the catch than the Commanders, who have surrendered an average of 4.9 yards per grab.

• • •

NOTES >> After a miss or two, kicker Jake Elliott boomed a 72-yard field goal at practice Thursday. Elliott is third in the NFL with 34 points … The Eagles are plus-4 in turnover margin. The Commanders (minus-3) are 24th. … Eagles special teams coach Michael Clay credited rookie Kelee Ringo and Josh Jobe with blocks that delayed the Bucs’ gunners just enough to spring Covey for a 52-yard punt return Monday. "Britain does a really good job of setting it, catching the ball, and getting the yards,” Clay said. "But those guys on the outside, we really preach that if you can get the returner started, it starts with you guys on the outside.” … Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked 19 times, most in the league. He has thrown five interceptions, second most in the league.

https://www.delcotimes.com/2023/09/28/eagles-notebook-without-brown-and-evans-eagles-safety-net-is-thinning/