Philadelphia Eagles Face Key Player Absences Against Los Angeles Rams

The Philadelphia Eagles will not be at full strength for Sunday’s significant NFC game against the Los Angeles Rams. Six Eagles players are ruled out for Week 4 due to injuries sustained during the week, impacting their lineup significantly.

On the offensive side, DeVonta Smith is sidelined with a hamstring injury. This marks the first game he will miss since the 2024 season. Smith’s absence comes despite his active performance in last Monday’s game against the Chicago Bears, where he managed six receptions for 65 yards. Smith has been a central figure in the Eagles’ passing attack, especially after A.J. Brown’s departure. He currently leads the team with 235 receiving yards and is the only player with 19 catches so far this season.

Tight end Dallas Goedert will also miss the upcoming game due to a knee injury, having already missed the last game against the Bears. Goedert ranks third on the team in receiving yards, with 81, and is the only Eagles player with multiple touchdown receptions this season.

Additionally, Hollywood Brown, another offensive asset, will not play because of an ankle issue. Although Brown has yet to record a catch, he has been involved in two handoffs in Week 2. With these key players absent, the Eagles could lean more on Dontayvion Wicks and expect an impactful performance from rookie Malaki Lemon, who has 33 yards in his first three NFL games.

Defensively, the Eagles will miss linebacker Zach Baun and safety Marcus Epps. Baun, known for his remarkable performance over consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, has recorded 25 tackles and deflected three passes this year but remains in concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Epps, who played 61% of defensive snaps across three starts, is out with a groin injury. Michael Carter II or Kenny Moore II may fill in at safety.

The Rams face challenges of their own as defensive star Aaron Donald will not play due to a back injury. The Eagles and Rams are set to face off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.