After being leveled by a helmet-to-helmet hit in the fourth quarter of last week’s game, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was ruled out for this Sunday against the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to concussion protocol.
The Eagles may not be down both of their top two receivers, however, as A.J. Brown (hamstring) returned to practice Friday in a limited capacity and was deemed questionable for Sunday.
In the Eagles’ 15-12 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, Smith caught a short pass and his forward progress was stopped. He was being driven backward by two players before Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd came from behind and blindsided Smith with a helmet-to-helmet hit. Smith lay prone on the ground for several minutes before eventually walking off the field for evaluation.
Boyd was fined $4,600 for the hit Friday.
Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, has 21 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown through three games in 2024. In 53 career games (52 starts) for Philadelphia, he has racked up 261 receptions for 3,417 yards and 20 TDs.
Brown, meanwhile, hasn’t played since the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. He had five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown in that game.
He was a DNP at Eagles’ practices before Friday. The three-time Pro Bowler has 384 receptions, 6,066 yards and 43 touchdowns in his six-year career with the Tennessee Titans (2019-21) and Eagles (2022-24).
Right tackle Lane Johnson (concussion) is also questionable for the Eagles.
Tampa Bay ruled out defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot). Wide receiver Jalen McMillian (hamstring) is doubtful, while five players — rookie running back Bucky Irving (hamstring), receiver Kameron Johnson (ankle), tight end Ko Kieft (ankle), right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) and nose tackle Vita Vea (knee) — were deemed questionable after practicing in limited fashion Friday.
