DeVonta Smith is trending toward a Sunday absence, and that’s a hit the Eagles’ passing game can’t really afford.
According to an ESPN report, the Eagles star wide receiver is not expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams. Smith has sat out practice all week because of a hamstring injury, and the issue appears to have surfaced last week before he still pushed through it in Monday’s blowout loss to the Chicago Bears.
If Smith is sidelined, the Eagles would turn to Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at receiver. Wicks would slide into the No. 1 role, while Lemon needs a much bigger day for Sean Mannion’s offense to get where it wants to go against the Rams.
Lemon, the first-round rookie, has only seven catches for 38 yards through the first three games, so the Eagles need more production there in a hurry. Wicks, meanwhile, has been one of the brighter developments in the group after arriving from the Green Bay Packers in a deal that cost Philadelphia two Day-3 picks this offseason. He’s put up nine catches for 179 yards and a touchdown and has grown into a meaningful No. 2 option.
The rest of the receiver picture isn’t much cleaner. Hollywood Brown has missed the last week with an ankle injury and was also out Monday against the Bears.
Smith’s own numbers show how much Philadelphia has leaned on him. Through three games, he’s caught 19 passes for 235 yards and a touchdown while serving as the Eagles’ top target. But even with him in the lineup, the passing game has already had its problems - and if he can’t go Sunday, those issues only get more pronounced against a Rams defense that could make moving the ball a real chore.
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Eagles Injuries Could Finally Open The Door For Darius Cooper
The Eagles head into Week 4 dealing with a receiver situation that could force some reshuffling against the Los Angeles Rams. With DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown both banged up, Philadelphia may need to lean deeper into the roster, and that has put Darius Cooper in a more interesting spot than he has been in most weeks.
Cooper has already carved out a role on special teams, and he also came through with a game-winning touchdown earlier this season, giving the staff at least one reason to trust him if the offense needs another option. Even so, Makai Lemon is expected to start, so any larger opportunity for Cooper may hinge on how much the Eagles can ask of a receiver group that is suddenly thinner than planned. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Faces A Huge Chance At The Perfect Time
Makai Lemons first month in Philadelphia has been more about steady growth than splash plays, which is not unusual for a rookie receiver trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Eagles 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft has gone three games without the kind of breakout performance that turns heads, but the opportunity in front of him suddenly looks much bigger with DeVonta Smith expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Rams.
For an offense that has been easing Lemon along, the timing could not be better. Sean Mannion has already shown confidence in the rookies development and believes he can handle a larger role, and now the Eagles may need him to do exactly that when the workload opens up. It is the kind of chance young receivers wait for, especially on a roster that has a clear need in the passing game and a game on the calendar that could push Lemon into the spotlight sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles May Be Forced Into A Risky Linebacker Plan Vs Rams
Zack Baun is still in concussion protocol and has not practiced, which leaves the Eagles in a familiar but uncomfortable spot heading into Week 4 against the Rams. If Baun cannot go, Philadelphia appears headed toward a starting linebacker duo of Jihaad Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a pairing that would put even more pressure on a defense already trying to manage a tough matchup.
Vic Fangio is expected to respond by leaning on coverage adjustments to help those linebackers out, a sign the Eagles may need to protect the middle of the field as much as they attack it. Campbells tackling has already drawn attention, while Trotters preseason work suggested he could handle a larger role, but the Rams are the kind of opponent that can expose any hesitation in a young linebacking group. [Read more 🡒]