Eagles have an obvious decision to make with wide receiver DeVonta Smith for Week 14 vs Panthers

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith will return to the lineup this week against the Carolina Panthers after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.  Smith, however, has been dealing with this hamstring injury since before Week 10's win over the Dallas Cowboys.  He played through that win with the injury and suited […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith will return to the lineup this week against the Carolina Panthers after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.

 Smith, however, has been dealing with this hamstring injury since before Week 10's win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

He played through that win with the injury and suited up again with it in the Eagles' Week 11 win over the Washington Commanders before making it worse and having to sit out in Weeks 12 and 13. 

The Eagles kept Smith's snap count low in those two games as he played less than 60% of the team's offensive snaps and was targeted a total of nine times, catching six targets for 43 yards. 

That is the same approach that the Birds will need to make against Carolina if they want to keep Smith healthy for their inevitable playoff run. 

The Eagles are also already down tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) and wide receiver Britain Covey (neck), so that might make things difficult but they still have other options. Of course, Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown will heavily be relied upon but they also have Grant Calcaterra, Jahan Dotson, and rookie Johnny Wilson to pick up more snaps. 

Eagles Week 14 Friday Injury Report vs. Carolina Panthers

Eagles Week 14 Injury Report Observations

  • The Eagles are said to be monitoring Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley's health closely so it will be normal for either or both of them to kick off the week limited moving forward.
  • Reed Blankenship suffered a concussion while Dallas Goedert hurt his knee in the Eagles' Week 13 win over the Baltimore Ravens.
  • With Goedert dealing with an injury, the Eagles signed tight end C.J. Uzomah to the 53-man roster.
  • Per a report from Eagles insider Jeff McLane, Goedert could be sidelined on a "week-to-week" basis.
  • The Eagles also signed wide receiver Parris Campbell back to the practice squad and fullback Khari Blasingame.
  • Sydney Brown was on last week's injury report with the same knee injury. He ended up dressing vs. Baltimore but didn't play. 
  • Rookie wide receiver Johnny Wilson was ruled out last Sunday so it's good to see him back, especially with the Eagles dealing with a banged-up receiver room. 
  • Cornerback Darius Slay has been on and off the injury report this season with a lingering knee issue. He suffered this concussion in Week 12's win over the LA Rams.
  • With Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown out this week, the Eagles will lean more on backup Tristan McCollum.
  • Britain Covey's absence isn't great but rookie Cooper DeJean is a solid backup on punt return. 

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