Eagles Facing Season-Ending Decision After DeVonta Smith News

Smith’s hamstring problems began all the way back in the summer when he missed the opening two weeks of training camp. He re-aggravated it in Week 3, missing two straight games before returning in Week 6 against Carolina.

Overall, he has played just four games this year, hauling in 26 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, Smith is not returning in Week 9. After missing practice entirely all week long, the team ruled him out. Given the Eagles are on bye in Week 10, his next possible chance of suiting up would come in Week 11.

However, given this is likely a lost season for Philadelphia, and Smith figures to be an important part of their team beyond this year, they have a decision to make about whether it is worth shutting him down.

The Eagles could place him on IR, let him gradually return to football activities and hope to have him back at full strength in 2027 rather than pushing him now in a lost season where making the playoffs is likely impossible.

At this point, protecting Smith for next year may be the smarter play than squeezing out a few more games from a receiver who has barely been healthy all season.