Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown's recent social media activity hasn't been "anti-Eagles in any way," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Garafolo added that Brown told the Eagles' media relations department he was simply getting away from social media ahead of the playoffs.
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafoloOn A.J. Brown deleting his account here on X and stripping his Instagram, I'm told his reasoning isn't anti-<a href="">#Eagles</a> in any way… <a href="">
The three-time Pro Bowl wideout deleted several Instagram posts that referenced the Eagles and deactivated his account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Brown was ruled out of the Eagles' matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round due to a knee injury. He did not practice throughout the week.
"It was going to be a stretch for A.J. to play," head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters on Saturday, per the team's official website. "He did everything he possibly could to get himself ready. ... He fought like crazy to try to do everything that he could do to do so, which doesn't surprise me at all about A.J. He's tough, and he'd do anything for his teammates. Unfortunately, he won't be able to rip it this week."
The Eagles began the season with 10 wins in their first 11 games before entering a downward spiral just before the start of the postseason. Philadelphia dropped five of its final six games while losing control of the NFC East, leading to Brown calling for a players-only meeting before the team's Week 18 matchup with the New York Giants (per Jay Glazer of Fox Sports).
Although the Eagles struggled throughout the second half of the season, the 26-year-old delivered his second consecutive season eclipsing 1,400 yards. He also hauled in a career-high 106 receptions, with seven of them resulting in touchdowns.
B/R Gridiron @brgridironAJ BROWN GIVES PHILLY THE LEAD 😤<br><br>(via <a href="">@NFL</a>) <br> <a href="">
In Brown's absence, Philadelphia will lean on DeVonta Smith in the passing game. The former first-round pick has remained a steady secondary option for quarterback Jalen Hurts, recording 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 starts.
Smith should excel against a Buccaneers secondary that allowed the third-most passing yards in the NFL during the regular season. Philadelphia and Tampa Bay are set to face off on Monday, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. ET.
