Marquise

Brown

Wicks was listed as a limited participant today, indicating that he strained his hamstring during Thursday’s practice. With DeVonta Smith (hamstring) still sidelined, rookie WR Makai Lemon could be the de facto top receiver, though the team has struggled to use him effectively thus far. Hollywood Brown (ankle) also remains sidelined.

Smith still has not returned to practice since last week, continuing to deal with a hamstring injury. Given his lack of practice reps ahead of travelling to London for Week 5, Smith is on the wrong side of questionable for this week’s matchup against the Jaguars. Also not practicing was WR Hollywood Brown (ankle). The Eagles will play Week 5 with a severely banged-up skill position group.

Wicks should slot in as the Eagles WR behind DeVonta Smith, Kempski said, because the former Packer is “younger, the Eagles invested more in him than they did in [Marquise] Brown, he is under contract for two years vs. one for Brown, and he seemingly already has the trust of offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.” The Eagles acquired Wicks from Green Bay this month in exchange for a 2026 fifth round draft pick and a 2027 sixth rounder. He had 108 receptions, 1,328 yards, and 11 touchdowns over three seasons with the Packers, operating mostly as a high-variance downfield threat. Kempski described Wicks as “a hard-nosed, rugged player who offers far more as a blocker in the run game than [A.J.] Brown does. How much that actually should matter is debatable, but my sense is that it will matter a lot in this new scheme.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter breaks the news, adding that Wicks will now sign a one-year, $12.5 million extension with the Eagles. Over the last four weeks, they also signed WR Hollywood Brown and WR Elijah Moore as well. Schefter reminds us that if the Eagles were to trade away WR A.J. Brown, that would probably happen after June 1st, “when the cap burden would be more manageable for the Eagles.” As things currently stand, Wicks will likely compete for WR3 duties. The trade also leaves Packers WR Christian Watson, WR Jayden Reed and WR Matthew Golden as the team’s top-three options after allowing WR Romeo Doubs to sign with the Patriots last month. The Eagles tacked on an additional year to Wicks’ contract after the deal, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season. The extension includes $12.5 million in maximum money with $9 million guaranteed.

This move could be interpreted one of two ways. Brown could be slotted into the distant WR3 role behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, or he could be a No. 2 option behind Smith if the Eagles eventually part ways this offseason with the mercurial Brown. Brown in 2025 was an afterthought in the Kansas City, totaling 587 yards and five touchdowns over 16 games. He was targeted on a ho-hum 20 percent of his pass routes last year as a part-time player in a dysfunctional Chiefs offense. Brown, entering his age-29 season, could have some WR3/4 value in deeper fantasy formats if the Eagles trade away Brown in the coming weeks or months.

Following a 10-catch, 99-yard performance in Week 1 against the Chargers, Brown was a non-factor in the pass-heavy Kansas City offense this season, totaling 536 yards and four touchdowns over 16 games. As the third or fourth option in the passing offense, Brown was treated as a rotational player even when the Chiefs struggled with wideout absences. After a highly disappointing two-year run with KC, Brown will likely play elsewhere in 2026. He’ll be a free agent this offseason.

Brown has caught more than three passes in two of his last 10 appearances. He has more than five grabs in just one game. That came all the way back in Week 1, when Rashee Rice was still suspended and Xavier Worthy left on the opening drive with a shoulder injury. Brown hasn’t been able to find a consistent role in the offense this year and even the loss of Rashee Rice over the past two weeks hasn’t changed that. He is not on the fantasy radar for Week 18.

Returning from a one-game absence with a personal issue, Brown caught his most passes since Week 11. Even with Rashee Rice (concussion) on the shelf, it was quite an accomplishment with Chris Oladokun replacing an injured Gardner Minshew (knee) in the second quarter. With or without Rice, Brown will remain well off the WR4 radar for Week 16 against the Broncos. Already going nowhere, this offense will be completely off the rails with Oladokun under center.

Brown will sit out Kansas City’s crucial Week 15 tilt against the Chargers for personal reasons. His absence could open up more routes and targets for JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs will also be without McDuffie, making Justin Herbert’s matchup a little better. Herbert is a borderline option in one-QB leagues even with McDuffie out.

Brown accounts for 13.8 percent (60) of the Chiefs’ targets this season and currently ranks as the WR40 in half-PPR scoring. His absence should free up a few targets for the remaining players. The Chiefs (6-7) are in must-win mode as they take on the Chargers (9-4).