The Eagles are heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Rams already thin, and the injury list got even longer by the time the final rulings came down.
DeVonta Smith won’t play after dealing with a hamstring injury in practice this week, and Zack Baun is also out while recovering from a concussion. Marcus Epps has been ruled out as well because of a groin injury, leaving Philadelphia without another starter on defense.
The absences don’t stop there. Backup wideout Hollywood Brown is out with an ankle injury, and offensive tackle Fred Johnson will miss the game because of a knee issue.
Starting tight end Dallas Goedert is also sidelined for a second straight week with an MCL sprain, and there still isn’t a clear timetable for when he’ll be back. To help cover that loss, the Eagles signed Zach Ertz last week.
That leaves Philadelphia scrambling for answers in the passing game. Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon are set to lead the receiver group against Los Angeles, while second-year undrafted free agent Darius Cooper should see a bigger workload as a No. 3 or No. 4 target.
Sean Mannion, now in charge of the Eagles offense, will need to find a way to get Lemon involved. The first-round rookie has just seven catches for 38 yards through the first three games, and Philadelphia may need more from him than it has gotten so far.
The matchup gets tougher with Baun unavailable. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will start next to second-year linebacker Jihaad Campbell, and that’s a spot the Rams could try to exploit. Sean McVay has a deep tight end group to work with, and he can also look to create one-on-one chances for his backs and receivers against Campbell and Trotter.
Philadelphia is also making a change at safety. Michael Carter II will start in place of Epps after rotating in for 20 snaps last week. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had planned to keep using Carter that way, but the injury now forces him into a much larger role.
In Other News...
Eagles Passing Game Faces A Major Rams Test Without A Star Receiver
The Eagles head into their matchup with the Rams already short on one of Jalen Hurts most trusted targets, with DeVonta Smith not expected to play because of a hamstring injury. Smith has not practiced this week, and the timing is less than ideal for a passing game that has leaned on his route-running and ability to separate when the offense needs a stabilizing catch.
Philadelphia is planning to move forward with Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at wide receiver, while Hollywood Brown remains out with an ankle injury. That leaves the Eagles trying to piece together a workable passing attack against a Rams defense that can force quarterbacks to be precise, and it puts even more pressure on the rest of the receiver room to create answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Injuries Could Finally Open The Door For Darius Cooper
The Eagles head into Week 4 dealing with a receiver situation that could force some reshuffling against the Los Angeles Rams. With DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown both banged up, Philadelphia may need to lean deeper into the roster, and that has put Darius Cooper in a more interesting spot than he has been in most weeks.
Cooper has already carved out a role on special teams, and he also came through with a game-winning touchdown earlier this season, giving the staff at least one reason to trust him if the offense needs another option. Even so, Makai Lemon is expected to start, so any larger opportunity for Cooper may hinge on how much the Eagles can ask of a receiver group that is suddenly thinner than planned. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Faces A Huge Chance At The Perfect Time
Makai Lemons first month in Philadelphia has been more about steady growth than splash plays, which is not unusual for a rookie receiver trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Eagles 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft has gone three games without the kind of breakout performance that turns heads, but the opportunity in front of him suddenly looks much bigger with DeVonta Smith expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Rams.
For an offense that has been easing Lemon along, the timing could not be better. Sean Mannion has already shown confidence in the rookies development and believes he can handle a larger role, and now the Eagles may need him to do exactly that when the workload opens up. It is the kind of chance young receivers wait for, especially on a roster that has a clear need in the passing game and a game on the calendar that could push Lemon into the spotlight sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]