The Philadelphia Eagles will be without DeVonta Smith beyond Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith could miss two to three games because of a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice all week, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia officially ruled him out Friday, but the reported recovery timeline turns a one-week absence into a potentially significant concern for an offense searching for consistency.
Smith has been Jalen Hurts’ most reliable target through the opening three games. He combined for 15 receptions and 200 yards against the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, including five catches for 83 yards Monday night at Soldier Field. The timing leaves Philadelphia especially thin against Los Angeles. Marquise
Brown was also ruled out with an ankle injury, while Dallas Goedert will miss another game because of his knee injury. Dontayvion Wicks, rookie Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper and Elijah Moore could all receive expanded opportunities, while Zach Ertz may again handle a larger role at tight end.
Smith’s reported timeline also places his availability for the next portion of the schedule in doubt. The Eagles travel to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5 before hosting the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. A three-game absence beginning Sunday would put Smith in position to return for the Week 7 Monday night matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia’s schedule confirms the Jaguars, Panthers, and Cowboys are the three opponents immediately following Los Angeles.
Philadelphia cannot replace Smith with one player. Wicks will be asked to become a steadier outside target, while Lemon should receive more downfield opportunities after catching three passes for 29 yards against Chicago. Cooper and Moore must also prove they can provide dependable snaps.
The Eagles need to protect Smith from turning an early-season hamstring problem into something that lingers. Meanwhile, Hurts and Sean Mannion must find production from a receiving group that suddenly looks very different.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: DeVonta Smith expected to miss multiple games with a hamstring injury
