The Eagles finally caught a break on Friday, and it came with DeVonta Smith’s name attached to it.
Philadelphia’s Week 6 injury report has been crowded from top to bottom, with more than 20 players showing up as the team has tried to navigate a run of bad news. Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, Jalyx Hunt, and Will Shipley are all set to miss time, but Smith gave the team a much-needed positive update.
Smith was a full participant on Friday and carries no status into the weekend, which points to him playing against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. He had been dealing with hamstring and toe injuries, but the official report cleared him for action.
Smith had already said he was feeling good, but seeing him officially cleared takes some of the edge off a rough stretch for the Eagles.
That matters even more with Hurts out this week because of a superficial blood clot issue. Tanner McKee will make the start at quarterback, and Philadelphia will need to rely more heavily on the passing game than usual. McKee is more of a pocket passer and isn’t as mobile as Hurts.
The backfield situation only pushes that point further. Barkley, Shipley, and Tank Bigsby are all out, so the Eagles will have to find offense through the air against a Panthers defense described as leaky.
At least McKee will have plenty of help on the perimeter and underneath. Dallas Goedert, Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper are all good to go for Week 6.
After two weeks full of bleak injury reports, the Eagles needed something to feel better about. Smith being available does exactly that.
Between Lane Johnson retiring, Hurts’ injury issue, Cam Jurgens’ trade, and the heavy injury load, the outlook has been rough. For this weekend, though, Smith is back in the mix.
In Other News...
Panthers Face A Trade Deadline Decision On Familiar Roster Names
The NFL trade deadline is creeping up, and the Panthers are still sitting in that uncertain middle ground where the next move could say a lot about where the season is headed. Whether they decide to buy, sell, or simply hold the line, the conversation around the roster has already turned to a handful of familiar names whose roles, contracts and fit could make them part of the discussion.
Rasheed Walker, Luke Fortner, John Metchie III, AJ Dillon and Ja'Tavion Sanders are all being floated as possible trade possibilities, though nothing has been confirmed and the talk remains speculative. For Carolina, the question is less about any one player than about what the front office values most right now, and whether it sees these pieces as part of the future or as movable assets before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Face A Trade Deadline Decision That Could Define This Start
The Panthers have played their way into a spot where the trade deadline suddenly feels like more than a calendar date. With an offense that has looked dangerous, the rest of the roster has made the front office's job a lot more complicated, especially with injuries thinning the wide receiver group and clear needs still showing on both lines and in the secondary.
That is why Carolina is being viewed as a team that could shop for help across a wide range of positions, from a receiver like Jerry Jeudy to interior line help such as Landon Dickerson, pass-rush options like Josh Sweat or Josh Uche, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. or even a familiar cornerback in Donte Jackson. Nothing is settled yet, but the Panthers' next move could say a lot about how aggressively they believe this start can be turned into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Backfield Shakeup Adds Intrigue To A.J. Dillon Absence
The Panthers are making another adjustment in the backfield for Week 6, with head coach Dave Canales announcing that Trevor Etienne is being activated off injured reserve and Anthony Tyus III is being elevated from the practice squad to the active roster. Those moves come with A.J. Dillon ruled out for the upcoming game, giving Carolina a different mix of depth and skill sets as it tries to sort through its running back rotation.
Etienne arrived with some attention because of his college background, while Tyus has been working his way through the pro ranks and now gets a chance on the active roster after spending time on the practice squad. For Carolina, the bigger question is how these pieces fit once the game plan is set, especially with Dillon unavailable and the team needing a backfield that can hold up for more than just one week. [Read more 🡒]