According to Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com, Smith has been sidelined for almost a week and will remain on the sidelines to begin the third week of camp. That is despite the team believing the injury is nothing to really worry about.

The premise is simple, Smith is poised to be the Eagles’ WR1 following AJ Brown‘s departure. Hence, they want him to be as healthy as possible before even trying to force him and risk a bigger injury.

Smith isn’t the only WR sidelined for the Eagles

Makai Lemon is a highly-touted rookie, but he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury as well. However, Lemon’s injury might be more severe than Smith’s, at least according to the reports.

Per Jimmy Kempski of The Philly Voice, Lemon’s status is really up in the air. “It’s fair at this point to doubt that he will start, at least early in the season,” Kempski said. Hence, as of now, new WR Dontayvion Wicks is the one making waves.

Eagles WR depth chart for the 2026 NFL season

Missing AJ Brown is a huge thing. Brown is a top 10 WR in the NFL. However, DeVonta Smith is so good, he could easily be any team’s WR1 as well, and that’s what the Eagles are banking on. This is their full WR depth chart:

• DeVonta Smith
• Makai Lemon
• Dontayvion Wicks
• Hollywood Brown
• Elijah Moore
• Johnny Wilson
• Quez Watkins
• Darius Cooper
• Britain Covey
• Samori Toure
• Danny Gray
• Erik Ezukanma

“As you get older, things change in your life,” he said during his press conference. “Priorities, your children get older, parents get older. It just puts things into perspective. I’m looking like it’s probably going to be my last year. Just cause I’m getting to that point —those priorities away from football are starting to merge.

“Not that I don’t enjoy — I love everything about this game and preparing for it. That’s kinda where I’m at in my career. Just looking forward to this year, playing the best I can and stay healthy. That’s about it.”

The right tackle also said that he plans on having “a really good last year,” a statement that has certainly excited Philadelphia. Can he cap off his final season with another Super Bowl ring?

Lane Johnson’s legacy in Philadelphia

Drafted 4th overall in 2013, Lane Johnson has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest offensive tackles in Philadelphia Eagles history and a cornerstone of the franchise for over a decade. Anchoring the right side of the offensive line across more than 160 career starts, Johnson is a Super Bowl LII champion, a two-time First-team All-Pro (2017, 2022), and a six-time Pro Bowler.

Widely regarded as one of the most dominant pass protectors of his era—highlighted by an incredible streak of nearly 30 consecutive games and over two calendar years without allowing a single sack—his combination of athletic elite power, leadership, and elite consistency has solidified his future status in the Eagles Hall of Fame.

Will Nick Sirianni use Lane Johnson this season?

Heading into the upcoming season under head coach Nick Sirianni, the Philadelphia Eagles boast one of the most imposing offensive lines in the NFL. Left tackle Jordan Mailata and veteran right tackle Lane Johnson form an elite edge-blocking duo, anchoring a unit renowned for its combination of power and pass protection.

Up the middle, dynamic left guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens, and right guard Tyler Steen complete a cohesive starting five built to control the line of scrimmage and drive the team’s offense.

One of the draft’s most memorable moments came when Lemon was on the phone with the Steelers, believing he was about to become Pittsburgh’s first-round selection, only to learn that the Eagles had jumped ahead to draft him instead.

Philadelphia’s aggressive move immediately raised expectations. After selecting Lemon, the Eagles felt comfortable trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots, placing significant pressure on the rookie to eventually help fill the void left by one of the league’s best receivers.

How has Makai Lemon performed with Eagles?

While DeVonta Smith remains the clear No. 1 receiver on the depth chart, Makai Lemon entered training camp carrying enormous expectations. So far, however, an early report from Brandon Lee Gowton suggests the rookie is still adjusting to the NFL.

“I’ve yet to see any kind of ‘wow’ factor with Lemon. He didn’t look very fast on a vertical target where the ball landed in front of him. Not sure if that incompletion was an overthrow or if he simply didn’t get to where Jalen Hurts was expecting him to be. Lemon failed to hold on to the football on a target over the middle where Andrew Mukuba bumped him from behind as he was trying to make the catch.”

Gowton also noted that the trend continued during another practice in Day 3. “It’s very early in camp, but I haven’t seen Eli Stowers or Makai Lemon do anything impressive so far.”

Even so, the Eagles are not expected to panic. They understand that Lemon is a rookie making the jump from college football, and developing chemistry with Jalen Hurts will likely take time.

Still, considering the draft capital invested to acquire him, and the decision to move on from A.J. Brown, it’s understandable why these early reports have generated concern among Eagles fans eager to see their newest offensive weapon make an immediate impact.

Hence, now Diego Pavia’s future in the NFL is quite blurry. He is seriously undersized for the position. Furthermore, he doesn’t have the best of reputations as to his personality and leadership.

Hence, for a guy with plenty of off-field history and being just 5’10”, Pavia really might see his NFL career end before it even starts. But, there are some paths for him to stay in the league after being waved by the Ravens.

Pavia’s potential fits in the NFL

Since Pavia was released before training camp began, his options now center on either finding an immediate camp/practice squad fit in the NFL. The alternative is to look for a spot in alternative professional leagues.

First and foremost, the stage is clear: Pavia must find an NFL practice squad or be available as an emergency depth QB. His best NFL fit would be with a team utilizing heavy spread/RPO or mobile QB concepts that needs a scout-team dual-threat passer.

Two teams could serve as Pavia’s destinations

Both the Eagles and Commanders as teams with established mobile quarterbacks. The two teams regularly look for mobile scout-team passers during the season to give their defense realistic practice looks.

Still, Pavia would be more of a training quarterback rather than a real possibility off the bench to enter the field. Also, Pavia should be trying to get a new team as soon as possible. An impressive showing in the NFL preseason could raise his stock for the future.

Despite Mailata saying he didn’t want to give away too much about new OC Sean Mannion’s scheme for the Eagles, he opened up during an interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “We are way more aggressive in this system this year than years past,” Mailata revealed, adding that the offense now features more answers in the running game.

Mannion has seemingly cleared up previous schematic confusions for the offensive line. Mailata admitted the unit now has a much clearer understanding of assignments up front, making both the passing and running options feel significantly more streamlined.

Mannion simplifies things for the Eagles offense

Mailata is entering his seventh NFL year with the Eagles, and his comments suggest the offense faced challenges executing assignments in previous seasons. He emphasized that Mannion is focused on heavily simplifying the team’s terminology and play-calling structure.

Hearing a veteran of his caliber speak so highly of the new OC is a massive green light for the franchise, signaling that the scheme is quickly catching on. Philadelphia’s offense wasn’t entirely lost last season, as they reached the playoffs before ultimately dropping their Wild Card matchup to the San Francisco 49ers.

Exactly what a young coordinator like Mannion brings to the table will unfold during the opening weeks of the 2026 season. While his coordinator experience is fresh, he comes highly regarded after serving as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers from 2024 to 2025.

The move follows weeks of intense trade speculation. While losing a player of Brown’s caliber could easily disrupt an offense, Smith appeared mentally locked into the alpha role long before the front office officially pulled the trigger.

“I mean, I’m just going out there and do my job,” he said this week, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Regardless, however you want to look at it, one, two, three, four. End of the day, we all have jobs, and I’ve got to go out there and do it. I’m going to do the same thing I’ve been doing.”

A new atmosphere in the Eagles’ locker room

According to multiple reports, the Eagles‘ decision to part ways with Brown stemmed from a fractured dynamic behind the scenes. A noticeable lack of on-field chemistry and mounting tension with quarterback Jalen Hurts ultimately prompted the exit.

By trading Brown, the Eagles are steering into a completely fresh era for the 2026 NFL season. With Smith taking over the top spot and dynamic first-round rookie Makai Lemon ready to make an immediate impact, Hurts can now operate a more balanced offense without the added burden of force-feeding a disgruntled receiver.

While analysts stop short of pointing to Brown as the sole reason for Philly’s late-season hiccups, his departure undeniably relieves Hurts from an immense amount of target-share scrutiny.

DeVonta Smith is ready for the alpha role

When news of the trade broke, many expected general manager Howie Roseman to immediately hunt for another high-priced veteran replacement. Instead, management recognized that the perfect successor was already in-house.

Relying on Smith as the premier target is the most logical path forward for Philadelphia. The former Heisman Trophy winner knows the playbook inside and out, and his rapport with Hurts has grown so strong that he already functioned as the definitive WR1 in several key situational packages. Backed by an exciting young supporting cast, the ‘Slim Reaper’ has all the tools required to prove he can carry an elite passing offense on his own

Speaking about the deal, Roseman said: “We’ve always been in the mindset that a pick is a pick. A first-round pick is a first-round pick. … Teams are still going to be playing football in 2028.” His comments highlighted the Eagles’ belief that the timing of the selection matters less than the quality and value.

From Philadelphia’s perspective, the move could pay off in several ways. The NFL changes quickly, and a team that looks strong today can find itself near the top of the draft order a few years later. By securing a future first-rounder, the Eagles added another premium asset that could eventually become a cornerstone player.

A long-term investment for Philadelphia

AJ Brown’s departure was undoubtedly significant, but Roseman appears to view the return as an investment in the franchise’s future. First-round picks remain the easiest way to acquire elite young talent on affordable contracts, something every contender needs to maintain long-term success.

The Eagles also gain additional flexibility moving forward. If injuries or roster turnover create future needs, having extra first-round capital could allow Philadelphia to move up the board, target a specific prospect, or add multiple contributors through future trades. Assets like these are similar to what the Browns did trading Myles Garrett.

Roseman’s reasoning reflects the approach that has helped keep the Eagles competitive for years. While fans may focus on what happens immediately after trading a star player, Philadelphia is looking several seasons ahead. If the 2028 pick turns into a difference-maker, the organization could eventually view the AJ Brown trade as a move that strengthened the roster.

The Eagles addressed the possibility of living without AJ Brown in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, DeVonta Smith will be upgraded to WR1 status, with rookie Makai Lemon taking the spot as WR2. They also have Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Darius Cooper as the main names to fill the WR room.

As for the Patriots, they got a much-needed certified WR1. AJ Brown will be quite stellar, with Romeo Doubs as WR2. Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte are still on the roster, as DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism III round up the roster.

The Patriots are getting an elite weapon in AJ Brown

AJ Brown has been one of the best weapons in the NFL since he arrived in the league. He won a Super Bowl with the Eagles, and the Patriots needed a weapon like this to try and get another title run. The prospect of pairing Brown to MVP runner-up quarterback Drake Maye is just too intriguing to ignore.

Brown also knows Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel very well due to their time at Tennessee. The Patriots are getting an AJ Brown that produced 1,003 yards on 78 receptions with seven touchdowns last season.

The Eagles didn’t exactly get a tit-for-tat replacement of AJ Brown

While the Eagles addressed AJ Brown’s departure by drafting Makai Lemon, he is a very different type of receiver in comparison to Brown. AJ Brown overpowers defenders, excels at winning contested jump balls, and acts as a physically dominant threat on the outside of the field.

Lemon relies on route-running manipulation, elite ball-tracking, and creating yards after the catch through elusiveness rather than sheer power. So, the Eagles might need to adjust their playbook to go from an AJ Brown-friendly scheme to one that plays to Lemon’s strengths.

“We’re getting really close here. I was told the Patriots remain confident that they can get this deal done. The sides are working on it.” For months, many around the league expected any serious movement to occur after June 1 because of the salary-cap implications associated with moving Brown.

Now that the calendar has turned, attention is shifting toward what appears to be the biggest obstacle remaining: trade compensation. Fowler said the Patriots are still reluctant to part with a first-round pick, while the Eagles continue to view that as the appropriate price for one of the league’s premier wide receivers.

Will the Eagles trade A.J. Brown?

A trade for A.J. Brown could happen this week according to Fowler’s information. From New England’s perspective, acquiring Brown would represent a massive addition for quarterback Drake Maye.

The Patriots reached the Super Bowl last season before falling to the Seattle Seahawks, and adding a true No. 1 receiver could be the type of move that pushes them back into championship contention.

Brown would immediately become the focal point of the passing attack and provide Maye with the elite playmaker the offense has been missing. Given the Patriots’ salary-cap flexibility, they remains in a strong position to absorb his contract if a trade agreement can be reached.

A.J. Brown and his problems with Jalen Hurts

For Philadelphia, meanwhile, signs have continued to point toward a possible separation. The relationship between Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts has been the subject of constant scrutiny, with repeated reports and public comments fueling speculation that tensions exist between the two stars.

The Eagles also appear to have prepared for the possibility of life after Brown. General manager Howie Roseman used a first-round pick on Makai Lemon, a move many viewed as insurance in case they eventually decided to move on from their star receiver.

Under that scenario in Philadelphia, DeVonta Smith would likely become the team’s new WR1, supported by Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and Lemon.

Just a few years ago, the entire NFL was mesmerized by Todd Gurley’s elite talent. Unfortunately, severe injuries derailed his career, forcing him to promptly retire in 2022 after just six seasons in the league.

Despite stepping away from the game, Gurley has remained connected to the football world. Recently, Barkley reached out to the former All-Pro—not to gauge a potential return to the field, but to gather insight on mastering the system of the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion.

“There’s a lot of guys that do it in the system right now, but one guy that I’ve been focused on and talked to him a little over Instagram, Todd Gurley, watching his film,” Barkley said, trying to seek advice from Gurley as he was coached by Mannion from 2015 to 2018. “Obviously it’s a little bit different, but the big years that he had when he was playing and he was healthy, the way that he attacked it.”

Todd Gurley was on a Hall of Fame trajectory

Gurley entered the NFL in 2015 when the Rams were still based in St. Louis. He made an immediate impact on the league, rushing for 1,106 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns en route to earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

He spent five spectacular seasons with the Rams before leaving the franchise in 2020 to join the Atlanta Falcons. While his sudden departure from Los Angeles shocked many fans, it was heavily influenced by his lingering knee issues.

Although Gurley rarely missed time in Los Angeles, the Rams’ front office believed it was only a matter of time before his knee forced an early retirement. Time ultimately proved them right; Gurley played just one season in Atlanta, spent 2021 out of the league, and officially retired in 2022.

For many analysts and fans, Gurley was destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he never fully recovered from the arthritic fallout of a torn ACL he suffered in college back in 2014, causing one of the generation’s most promising running back careers to fade away prematurely.

The Eagles look to bounce back in 2026

Following a triumphant 2024 season capped by a Super Bowl victory, the Eagles endured a disappointing 2025 campaign. Barkley took home NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors for his historic 2,005-yard rushing season during that championship run, but the team’s offensive efficiency plummeted the following year.

Following Kellen Moore’s departure, the Eagles’ offense lacked the creativity and explosive execution required to dominate the league as expected. Now, with Sean Mannion introducing a Sean McVay-style outside-zone scheme, Barkley is confident Philadelphia can return to championship form in 2026.

With trade rumors intensifying around Brown and the New England Patriots continuing to emerge as a possible destination, Hurts was asked what it would mean for the Eagles to lose one of the most explosive wide receivers in football.

Before answering, the Eagles QB paused and reached for water. “Picked the right question to sip on, huh?” Hurts said, delaying his response for a few moments before eventually addressing the situation more seriously. “For us, we’re focused on learning the offense. It really doesn’t change in terms of our approach to improve. There’s an ‘if’ obviously. It’s been a lingering thing, but nothing can replace all the greatness that we achieved together.”

A.J. Brown trade rumors continue surrounding Eagles and Patriots

Jalen Hurts’ comments arrive at a moment when speculation around Brown’s future appears stronger than ever. The star wide receiver has hinted multiple times that he has not been fully satisfied with his role in Philadelphia’s offense, fueling belief around the league that tensions may exist behind the scenes.

The rumors intensified even more after reports linked Brown with the Patriots and head coach Mike Vrabel, who previously coached the receiver during their time together with the Tennessee Titans. That relationship has made New England one of the teams most frequently connected to a potential blockbuster trade.

Despite all the uncertainty, Hurts made it clear that he still values the chemistry and success he built with Brown in Philadelphia. “Nothing has changed since we last spoke at the end of the season. We’re really good.” But as trade speculation continues growing and the offseason moves deeper into the summer, questions surrounding the future of one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterback-receiver duos are not going away anytime soon.