The Eagles head down to Tampa Bay to play the Bucs down a lot of players. Devonta Smith and Lane Johnson are in the concussion protocol. AJ Brown has missed two straight weeks with a hamstring injury, though he was a limited participant in Friday’s practice.

If the Eagles are going to go into the bye week with a 3-1 record, they are going to need some guys to step up. Even if AJ Brown can go, it will be difficult for them. Earlier in the week we talked about the guys they need great games from if they are going to leave Tampa with a W.

Related: 6 Eagles Players Who Need Great Games Vs The Bucs

The good news for the Eagles is the injury bug has bitten the Bucs too. Antoine Winfield JR has already been ruled out. I originally included him in this article, because top-level Safeties have hurt the Eagles all season long, with 3 of the 5 Jalen Hurts picks coming from a Safety. But on Friday he was listed as out, after already missing the past two weeks.

Their offensive line is riddled with injuries. Their WRs are battling injuries, but will likely play at least. Vita Vea is battling an injury but returned to practice this week.

(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Still, they do have several players who could still cause the Eagles trouble. Especially with the Eagles’ own injuries looming so large. But who should the Eagles be the most worried about. which Bucs players could cause them the most grief in week 4?

There is also the factor of Todd Bowles seemingly having Hurts number. The numbers are not 100% accurate. 2 of Hurts 4 games game in the 2021 season before Hurts took a leap, and then everyone sucked in the playoff game last year. He was actually decent in the regular season game last year, so maybe we make too much of it.

But it is a pattern worth watching. A lot of that comes from Bowles blitzing so much and Hurts struggling vs the blitz in past years. But this year Hurts has been much better vs the blitz. That improvement will be put to the test in Tampa.

If the Eagles are going to win, they will need to account for these players. From a dominant run stuffer in the middle of the defense to a WR out of the slot who could exploit the biggest weakness of the Eagles, these players could cause them problems on Sunday.

Here Are 4 Bucs Players who Could Give the Eagles Trouble

• Vita Vea

  Now there is a chance this guy doesn’t play, and it will certainly be better for the Eagles if he does miss week 4. He missed week 3 with a knee injury, and has been limited in practice. But when healthy, Vea is a force at NT. He is not known for getting after the QB, though he occasionally picks up a sack, but he might be the best-run stuffer in the league. It would be a very tough test for Cam Jurgens.

  Jurgens has played very well so far this year. His blocking paved the way for 1 of the Saquon TDs in week 3. But in Vea, he would face his toughest test as a run blocker so far.

  With the Eagles WRs being so beat up, the run game should feature prominently, especially against a team that loves to blitz like the Bucs. Cam winning that battle inside vs Vea, provided he plays, will be key to the Eagles leaving Tampa with the win. If Vea is blowing up the middle of the line, they will have difficulty running the ball no matter how good Saquon has been.

  Ted Nguyen on X (formerly Twitter): "Vita Vea against one of the best centers in the league (Frank Ragnow) pic.twitter.com/Im2WAbEfJM / X"

  Vita Vea against one of the best centers in the league (Frank Ragnow) pic.twitter.com/Im2WAbEfJM

• Lavonte David

  The Eagles’ plan is going to revolve around Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert. They don’t have many better options, unless Jahan Dotson remembers how to play, or Parris Campbell decides to go off. If anyone on the Bucs can blow up the plan to get it to Goedert and Barkley, it is Lavonte David. He is 34 now, and not the same player he used to be. But he is still a starting-caliber linebacker and can impact the game.

  That said, the Bucs have been terrible vs the run this year. They are allowing 137 rushing yards per game and allow 4.9 yards per carry. On the whole, the Eagle’s run defense is worse with them giving up 5.2 yards per carry. But in week 3 the Eagles got it together and allowed just 3.1 yards per carry, whereas the Bucs have allowed at least 130 rushing yards every week.

  Still, with the Eagles’ game plan being so obvious, the Bucs may be able to focus on stopping the run. They will also likely double Goedert on passing plays. David will play a big part in both of those things.

  Tampa Bay Buccaneers on X (formerly Twitter): "Lavonte David 🤝 @AntoineWJr11📺: #TBvsHOU on CBS pic.twitter.com/7JAFtcn4jr / X"

  Lavonte David 🤝 @AntoineWJr11📺: #TBvsHOU on CBS pic.twitter.com/7JAFtcn4jr

   

   

• Chris Godwin

  The Eagles have actually been very good at stopping the outside WRs. Quinyon Mitchel and Darius Slay have been tremendous so far. They have had some struggles over the middle of the field and in the slot though.

  While Mike Evans is the Bucs biggest name, Chris Godwin in the slot has been their best WR so far. 253 yards and 3 TDs so far. He scored in every game so far and had at least 6 catches in every game so far.

  Not saying Mike Evans is not a threat. Even in a down year by his standards so far, he is still a dangerous player. But if I had to bet on 1 of their WRs hurting the Eagles, I would be on Godwin.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "Chris Godwin gets the @Buccaneers on the board!📺: #DENvsTB - Sunday on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HkpbtqxGLM / X"

  Chris Godwin gets the @Buccaneers on the board!📺: #DENvsTB - Sunday on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/HkpbtqxGLM

• Bucky Irving

  Rachaad White is supposed to be the Bucs’ best back. But as someone who has White on my fantasy team, I can tell you that has not been the case. He averages just 2.1 yards per carry. Bucky Irving meanwhile has 6.2 yards per carry. They have given him just 25 carries so far, so not a huge sample size, but effective nonetheless.

  Will they lean on him more as White struggles? It would make sense. Especially against a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in run defense. But like both Vea and Winfield, he is a bit beat up. Bucky implied he will play, but we saw a hamstring injury keep Brown out for at least 2 games so far, so you never know.

  As mentioned, the Eagles’ defense shut down the run in week 3. But in the 1st two weeks, they were the worst run defense in the league. Which team will show up this week? The answer could determine if they win.

  NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "There goes @BuckyIrving!📺: #DENvsTB - Sunday on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/MIyRVvuDiD / X"

  There goes @BuckyIrving!📺: #DENvsTB - Sunday on FOX📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/MIyRVvuDiD

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