John Ross #83 of the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have been riding high after back-to-back wins, improving to 4-2 on the season following a dominant performance against the New York Giants on Sunday. With star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both back in action after recovering from injuries, the Eagles offense looks poised for a strong second half of the season.
However, not all the news out of Philly is positive. Veteran wide receiver John Ross has been sidelined after suffering an injury, according to Eagles insider Jeff McLane. The team placed Ross on their practice squad injured list, meaning he will be out for at least the next four weeks. His earliest return is expected to be Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Ross, who came out of retirement to sign with the Eagles in the offseason, has yet to make a significant impact. He failed to make the team’s 53-man roster coming out of training camp but was signed to the practice squad in September. His only appearance this season came in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he recorded one catch for six yards after being elevated to the active roster due to injuries to Smith and Brown.
What Does This Mean for the Eagles’ WR Depth?
Ross’s absence could prompt some changes for the Eagles as they navigate a stretch with key injuries at the wide receiver position. With Britain Covey and Ainias Smith also dealing with injuries, Philadelphia’s receiving corps has been stretched thin at times this season. While their WR3 role was expected to be filled by Jahan Dotson after a preseason trade, Dotson’s impact has yet to materialize fully, leaving some question marks in terms of depth.
The Eagles have a few options moving forward. General Manager Howie Roseman could choose to stand pat with the current roster or look to bolster the receiver room ahead of the November 5th trade deadline. Given the team’s strong standing and Super Bowl aspirations, it wouldn’t be surprising if Roseman explored additional moves to solidify the depth behind Brown, Smith, and Dotson.
With Ross out for the next few weeks and the team preparing for a pivotal stretch of games, keeping the wide receiver position stocked with reliable options will be critical for the Eagles as they chase a deep playoff run.
#Eagles signed DB Tariq Castro-Fields to the Practice Squad and placed WR John Ross on the Practice Squad Injured List.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) October 21, 2024
Looking Ahead
The Eagles will aim to build on their momentum as they prepare for a tough stretch of games in the coming weeks. As for Ross, his journey to re-establish himself in the NFL is now on hold, but if the veteran receiver can return by Week 12, he may have another opportunity to make an impact late in the season.
For now, all eyes are on Howie Roseman and whether he’ll make a move to add more firepower to the Eagles’ receiving corps before the trade deadline.
