Eagles Rule Out One Starter, Another Is Questionable Monday Night

When the Philadelphia Eagles return to Tampa on Monday Night to play the Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs, their offense will be shorthanded while questions still remain about their mediocre defense.

The Eagles have officially ruled Out AJ Brown after the Wide Receiver was unable to practice all week.  The AP Second Team All-Pro Receiver injured his knee in last Sunday's game in North Jersey against the New York Giants.  The good news for Philadelphia is DeVonta Smith will return from his Ankle Injury on Monday Night, so he will become the number one receiver.  This will be the second straight game that Julio Jones will be asked to be the team's number two receiver and we can expect to see Quez Watkins get more playing time as the Slot Receiver.

Even though he has not practiced all week, Reed Blankenship is listed as Questionable for Monday Night's game.  The Eagles are already without Sydney Brown (season ending Knee Injury) and Justin Evans (on Injured Reserve) so they are thin at the Safety position.  Avonte Maddox has been getting reps at Safety during practice this week and if he has to move out of Nickel Corner, that creates a domino effect across the defense with multiple guys have to change their defensive responsibilities.

Speaking of the defense, the Eagles will welcome back Cornerback Darius Slay for Monday Night's game in Tampa,  Slay had what has been described as a "Minor Knee Procedure" and missed the last four games as he recovered.  Despite rehabing the last few weeks, Slay has been vocal about his focus on the postseason.

On the other side of the field, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have listed three players as Questionable and Ruled Out one defensive player.  Defensive Lineman Mike Greene has not played since November 19th when he sustains a Calf Injury and has spent the last several weeks on Injured Reserve.  Linebacker KJ Britt is one of the Bucs top Special Teams contributors and he is listed as Questionable to play Monday Night with a Calf Issue.

The most significant to keep an eye on for Tampa is their starting Quarterback Baker Mayfield.  The 28 year old Quarterback is dealing with an Ankle Issue and Rib Injury but he was a Limited Participant at Practice on Friday and Saturday.  Mayfield was Sacked the sixth most times in the NFL this season (40) yet he still finished in the top ten in Passing Touchdowns (28) and Passing Yards (4044).