A Philadelphia Eagles player makes an unexpected return to the squad.

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown defended his quiet following the startling upset defeat to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and labeled Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s article on him as the cause of “locker room poison” on Wednesday as “bulls-t.”

Standing at his locker at the team’s practice facility on Wednesday, Brown told reporters, “I didn’t want to be negative, which is why I didn’t speak to the media after the game.”

We were going through a difficult moment, and since I am the kind of person I am, I had already shifted to the perspective that I needed to return to work. I am powerless to change it.

And as I mentioned following the game [against the Cardinals], I was raised to say nothing at all if I had anything positive to say. I’m not attempting to exacerbate the situation.

Following Lincoln Financial Field’s 35-31 loss to Arizona, Brown declined to meet with the media, leading some to surmise that he wasn’t satisfied with his 53 yards and four receptions.

On January 3, 2023, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles interacts with media while positioned at his locker at the NovaCare Complex.

Brown clarified that his dissatisfaction stemmed from his teammate wide receiver DeVonta Smith’s ankle injury sustained during the fourth quarter, not the play-calling.

“We’re going to need; I’m going to need Smitty moving forward,” he said. “That was it.”

Brown also responded to an article published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday, stating that the Eagles’ locker room is in disarray and that a veteran captain who wishes to remain nameless had expressed concerns about Brown’s frayed nerves.

One Eagles veteran told the site, “Anytime you have horrible body language from a leader like that, other guys notice it, and that’s not good.”

On December 31, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field.Getty Photographs

According to The Inquirer, Brown became irate when head coach Nick Sirianni denied him an opportunity to win the game.

After the break, the Eagles ran 26 plays, but only one of them went to Brown, who was often observed on the field displaying signs of distress.

Right now, it doesn’t bother me. They’re going to fabricate a story about me dividing the locker room and doing all of this,” Brown remarked. That is untrue.

To be honest, I’m relieved. What is his name? What is the name of that reporter? Hayes, Marcus.

“I’m kind of relieved he’s not here because I was about to ask him who’s saying that, you know? I knew my teammates were riding for me and that I was riding for them, so I was going to ask him who was saying that.

Brown explained that he felt obligated to apologize to his teammates in his capacity as team captain, “because they shouldn’t have to face questions on my behalf.” I am a male. I am able to talk for myself.

DeVonta Smith (#6) and A.J. Brown (#11), two Eagles receivers, are in action at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Getty Photographs

The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler revealed that he’s focused on winning games and ready to play the New York Giants on Sunday.

Brown remarked, “I’m not simply going to keep compounding the negative with the negative so you guys can write more terrible stuff.” “You guys also watch the game.” You are all already aware of this. That’s why I said, “There’s nothing more I can say.” I’m not attempting to exacerbate the situation.

Furthermore, I take responsibility for all I say and do, including everything I do. They call me a monster. To be honest, the reverse. On the field, you saw how frustrated I was. The play call wasn’t the main issue. None of that was relevant. It has to do with my buddy, Smith, getting hurt.

Last week, Brown organized an escape room for this group as a way to foster camaraderie.

“We organized a team escape room activity to foster cooperation… During a visit to SportsRadio 94WIP on Tuesday, offensive lineman Jordan Mailata of the Eagles said, “That was A.J.” “You guys don’t know A.J. like we do, despite all of this nonsense about him not being a leader. He is an excellent leader.