Eagles’ passing offense could struggle against Ravens with this key backup out

The Eagles’ passing offense could struggle against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday if wide receiver DeVonta Smith can’t play.
Smith is questionable to play in the Eagles‘ Week 13 matchup against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury. He also missed the Eagles’ Week 12 victory over the Rams with the same injury.
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One of Smith’s potential replacements, rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson, has also been ruled out for tomorrow’s game, according to the team. In Smith’s potential absence, the Eagles would need rookie Ainias Smith and third-year player Britain Covey to take on bigger roles, and Jahan Dotson would have to produce more as the No. 2 wide receiver.
Last week, wide receiver A.J. Brown caught six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown against the Rams’ secondary. Brown is capable of dominating opponents without Smith’s help. However, the Ravens’ defense could direct all of its attention to Brown, which means another pass catcher might have to get open more consistently.
Perhaps the Eagles’ tight end group could receive more targets. Starting tight end Dallas Goedert only caught four passes for 19 yards against the Rams, and he has not put up big numbers in seven of the eight games he’s played this season.
In the Eagles‘ Week 3 victory over the Saints, Goedert proved that he can be the Eagles’ primary pass catcher when Smith or Brown aren’t available. He caught 10 passes for 170 yards against New Orleans’ defense.
Backup tight end Grant Calcaterra is a solid pass catcher, too. The Eagles could use more 12 personnel (two tight ends) to get their best playmakers on the field and to take the pressure off young players like Ainias Smith.
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