Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, along with two other players, was listed as a non-participant at the start of the final week of preparations for the regular season. Smith sustained an ankle injury during the Eagles’ recent loss to the Cardinals, but the team seems to have avoided a major setback, as he was seen walking without a limp and out of his walking boot by Wednesday afternoon. While there is uncertainty about his availability for Sunday’s game, it’s noteworthy that Smith, 25, has not missed a game in his NFL career.
The Eagles’ Wednesday walkthrough provided an estimation of player participation:
Did not practice: DeVonta Smith (ankle), Jordan Davis (ankle), Haason Reddick (illness)
Limited: Zach Cunningham (knee), Avonte Maddox (elbow), Darius Slay (knee)
Despite several players being non-participants, head coach Nick Sirianni expressed optimism about having everyone on the active roster available for Week 18 against the Giants. The team appears to be balancing the need for practice with ensuring players’ health.
Avonte Maddox, who was injured on Sunday, is at least a limited participant, indicating a positive development. Darius Slay, recovering from knee surgery, might have a chance to return after missing three games. Zach Cunningham, the team’s standout linebacker, has been absent for the past three games with a knee injury.
While the Eagles are likely to secure the No. 5 seed in the NFC, they still have motivation to play on Sunday. A win, coupled with a potential loss by the Cowboys, could see them clinch the NFC East and secure the No. 2 seed. However, uncertainties about MetLife Stadium’s turf quality and adverse weather conditions add additional factors to consider.
