Is A.J. Brown Playing Week 1? Latest Injury Update for the Philadelphia Eagles WR

Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown enters the 2025 season dealing with a familiar concern — a mild hamstring strain that has fantasy football managers holding their breath.

The injury mirrors the setback he experienced in Week 2 of the 2024 season. What’s the latest on the Eagles star and his status for Week 1?

What Is A.J. Brown’s Injury?

Brown has been sidelined by a mild hamstring strain, similar to the one he sustained last season. However, reports suggest it’s nothing more than a minor speed bump before the regular season opener, and he is fully expected to play in Week 1.

DeVonta Smith would be the WR1 if Brown can’t go for some reason, with tight end Dallas Goedert also stepping into a larger role if the superstar wide receiver misses time.

Brown’s health status has become a closely watched storyline as the Eagles fine-tune their offensive game plan heading into what promises to be a pivotal campaign. With his track record of elite production when healthy, even the slightest injury concern sends ripples through fantasy draft boards and Philadelphia’s championship aspirations.

Despite last season’s somewhat underwhelming fantasy numbers, Brown remains one of the NFL’s most explosive receiving threats and a cornerstone of the Eagles’ high-powered offense. His 2024 campaign saw reduced passing volume as Philadelphia leaned heavily on its ground game, but shifts in personnel and schedule difficulty could dramatically alter that dynamic in 2025.

The addition of Saquon Barkley’s heavy workload from last season, combined with a more challenging slate of opponents, may force the Eagles to return to a more balanced aerial attack.

Mason LeBeau’s Fantasy Outlook For Brown

Call me a hater — it’s fine — but I’ll typically avoid Brown at ADP. That was the case until this year, when he now looks far more valuable. For a while, he was near the top of the competition with CeeDee Lamb, but his ceiling wasn’t and wouldn’t be as high as that of any of the elite receivers. That doesn’t mean Brown can’t be incredible, but in this offense, he just struggles with bouts of inconsistency that the other guys don’t. 

AJ Brown in 3 season with Philly
– 261 Rec 4031yds 25 TD
– 25 Rec 309yds 3 TD (Playoffs)
– 3x All-Pro | 2x Pro Bowl | SB Champ

Best WR in #Eagles History | #FlyEaglesFly | @1kalwaysopen_ pic.twitter.com/w4MQBPQSsr

— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) February 20, 2025

That’s just to be nitpicky, which I think is fair when you’re an elite draft pick. After an injury-shortened season, his ADP has dropped to around the late 2nd or early 3rd, a far more reasonable price to pay for him. The fact of the matter is, the Eagles’ offense does not rely on him like other receivers are. That’s a blessing and a curse. When Brown gets hot and the offense is in a flow state, he’s borderline unstoppable. However, if Brown is banged up or they face a strong CB1, the Eagles do not need him to find success. 

Still, Brown’s floor remains incredibly high. He surpassed 1,000 yards last season in 13 games and matched his 2023 touchdown total of seven. If the Eagles can rest Saquon Barkley after an insane season, Brown stands to be the primary beneficiary. While I don’t see his ceiling having much more than his 1,400-plus yard seasons, he could very well have the massive TD season that he hasn’t quite yet. Finally, his ADP sits in a great spot.