The Philadelphia Eagles made it a point to rest all of their starters during their meaningless Week 18 win. ... with the real goal being good health for this Wild Card weekend.
They aren't fully healthy, of course; All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown was not spotted at practice Thursday and was listed with a "did not participate" moniker on the team's injury report.
But he nevertheless has an announcement to make about his status ... and his city of Philadelphia.
“I know I’m banged up,'' Brown said on Friday, acknowledging his knee issue. "Everybody is. Gotta be out there. Give it my all. Playing for my teammates, for the city.''
Brown's status for the team's playoff game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers will come with some concern level in regard to him being less than 100 percent.
But the concern over him missing some of this week's work for the playoff-bound Eagles is non-existent.
Brown missed four games this season due to multiple injuries suffered. He's battled a knee injury over the last few weeks and played through it down the stretch.
The former Tennessee Titans star caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns this season for the Birds while averaging more yards per game than almost any other receiver in football.
He's also a huge part of the team's game plan against the Packers.
In the Eagles' Week 1 victory over Green Bay, Brown caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.
For Brown to not be at 100 percent is troublesome for an Eagles squad that needs its full cast of stars to be the title contenders many expect of them.
While the wide receiver is fully expected to play on Sunday, how well he can play on a knee injury could very well determine how far the Eagles go this playoff run.
But Brown wants to do it. For the team. For the city.
