Eagles WR Takes Hard Hit Against Saints, Suffers Concussion

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been ruled out for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Smith’s departure came early in the fourth quarter after he suffered a hit from Saints rookie defensive tackle Khristian Boyd. The 25-year-old receiver had made a short catch, and his forward momentum appeared to have been halted before the tackle occurred. The impact caused Smith to lose his helmet and raised immediate concerns regarding his health.

Following the incident, Boyd has faced some criticism for delivering what many perceived as a brutal hit, although the backlash seems to focus more on teammate Payton Turner. Turner’s approach to Smith, after he had lost his helmet and was lying on the field, was especially scrutinized. Some onlookers felt that Turner not only dived toward the exposed Smith but also appeared to spit on the ground near him, leading to allegations that he may have spat at Smith intentionally.

Only minutes after leaving the field, the Eagles officially declared Smith out for the remainder of the game. This unfortunate turn of events means Philadelphia will be missing both of their top wide receivers, as A.J. Brown is already sidelined with a hamstring injury.

As it stands, here’s an update on DeVonta Smith’s condition:

Smith exited the contest against the Saints just after the fourth-quarter hit, leading to immediate evaluation for a possible concussion. The presiding medical staff quickly ruled him out for the game after confirming the concussion diagnosis.

The team has not provided further details regarding Smith’s status for upcoming games, leaving fans and analysts uncertain about how long he could be out of action.

As the Eagles move forward, the focus will remain on their wide receiver depth, which will be put to the test in the absence of both key players. Coach Nick Sirianni will likely need to adjust the offensive strategy to mitigate the loss of Smith and Brown in future matchups.

Fans and teammates alike are hopeful for a swift recovery for Smith, who has quickly become a vital part of the Eagles’ offensive framework. Without his contributions, the team’s offensive dynamics could shift significantly.

As the situation evolves, updates will be provided on negotiations around Smith’s recovery and future playing condition. The team is expected to monitor his health closely, as player safety continues to be a top priority for all franchises in the league.

With Smith’s absence felt, it remains crucial to see how the Eagles will navigate the remaining games of the season without two of their premier offensive weapons.

Source: USA Today