The Eagles are getting some much-needed good news on star receiver DeVonta Smith.
Smith is believed to have only suffered a mild ankle sprain, John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia confirmed.
Phew.
After Sunday's loss, Smith was seen hobbling on crutches with a walking boot on his right foot. So the news that he has avoided serious injury is certainly welcome.
Smith, 25, was injured on the Eagles' second-to-last drive of their 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The injury occurred when Smith blocked a screen pass to Kenny Gainwell on 3rd-and-19 from the Cardinals' 29-yard line. The 4-yard play set up a field goal and briefly gave the Eagles a three-point lead in the fourth quarter, but it couldn't hold.
If the Eagles have a chance at an unlikely playoff berth after concluding the regular season next week against the Giants this month, they need Smith to do it. The third-year receiver has 81 catches, 1,066 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.
The most impressive thing about Smith is that despite his 170-pound frame, he was incredibly resilient in his three NFL seasons. He hasn't missed a game since the Eagles selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in 2021. Smith played in all 50 regular season games and all four postseason games.
After the Eagles' win on Christmas Day, Smith was critical of the offense and didn't seem to care that he passed the 1,000-yard mark.
“We’re not playing good football right now,” Smith said after the Eagles’ 11th win of the season. “On offense we are not yet where we want to be.”
Smith did not speak to reporters after the loss on New Year's Eve because of his injury.
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