Star Watch

A.J. Brown is the name to watch for the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of their Wild Card showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to Thursday’s injury report, the first for the team before their game on Monday, the All-Pro wide receiver was absent from practice due to a knee injury sustained in the Week 18 loss to the New York Giants.

Safety Reed Blankenship (groin) also missed practice, leaving the team with just one healthy safety on the 53-man roster in Kevin Byard in addition to the undrafted Tristin McCollum who is currently on the team’s practice squad.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who injured his finger against the Giants, practiced in limited fashion after telling reporters he had not thrown a football since the previous Sunday.

Return specialist Britain Covey (groin) was also limited.

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee), running back D’Andre Swift (illness), and cornerback Darius Slay (knee) practiced fully and are set to return for the playoffs after missing time at the end of the regular season.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.