In a tightly contested game, the Philadelphia Eagles managed to scrape by with a narrow 15-12 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. However, they suffered a significant loss as wide receiver DeVonta Smith sustained an injury during the match.
In the fourth quarter, Smith was on the receiving end of a heavy hit while already being tackled by several Saints players. After the hit, he stayed down for a while before being taken to the medical tent and later to the locker room for evaluation. Unfortunately, the team decided he wouldn’t return to the game, and it turned out he had a concussion. This incident was particularly frustrating for his teammates, with cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson voicing his displeasure about the dangerous play. As a consequence of the hit, Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd was fined for his actions.
Now, as the Eagles prepare for their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, Smith’s availability is in doubt. The good news is that the Eagles have a bye week in Week 5, which gives Smith extra time to heal. The team hopes he can make a comeback when they face the Cleveland Browns in Week 6.
Current Status of the Eagles’ Wide Receivers
The Eagles’ wide receiver situation is looking pretty grim going into Week 4. Here’s a quick rundown of the current roster and their injury statuses:
- A.J. Brown (Out)
Along with Smith, Brown will also be sidelined for the game against the Buccaneers. He has been nursing a hamstring injury and has missed the last three games. Brown is a standout talent; when healthy, he had an impressive performance in Week 1 with 119 yards and a touchdown, and last season he finished with over 1,400 yards. - DeVonta Smith (Out)
Smith’s absence is a big blow to the Eagles. When he’s fit, he’s been incredibly reliable, racking up exactly seven catches and at least 76 yards in each of the first three games this season. With both Smith and Brown out, quarterback Jalen Hurts will likely rely more on running back Saquon Barkley and tight end Dallas Goedert. - Jahan Dotson
Dotson recently joined the Eagles from Washington and hasn’t had much action yet, with only three receptions through Week 3. However, given the current injuries, he may see more playing time and could be crucial for the team’s offense against Tampa Bay. - Britain Covey (Injured Reserve)
Covey won’t be playing in Week 4 either; he’s been placed on IR due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery. This is unfortunate as he was starting to show promise, especially after catching six passes in Week 2. - Parris Campbell
Campbell has been promoted from the practice squad and brings some experience to the receiving corps. He had a solid season last year with the Colts, recording 623 receiving yards. He had a couple of catches last week and is expected to play a more significant role. - Johnny Wilson
As a rookie, Wilson is another option for the Eagles. He made his first NFL catch during the recent victory and is expected to get more snaps this week.
Fantasy Football Implications for DeVonta Smith
With Smith officially ruled out for the upcoming game against Tampa Bay, it’s essential for fantasy football players to adjust their lineups accordingly. If you have Smith on your team, you’ll want to find another receiver to fill his spot or scour the waiver wire for potential replacements.
Jahan Dotson is a prime candidate to step up in Smith’s absence, and he could emerge as the top receiver this week. Other notable names available on the waiver wire include Darnell Mooney from the Falcons, Quentin Johnston from the Chargers, Romeo Doubs from the Packers, and DeMario Douglas from the Patriots.
Since the Eagles have a bye week in Week 5, Smith will likely remain out of your fantasy lineups for that week as well. However, if he can recover and return to health for the game against the Browns in Week 6, he should definitely be back in your starting lineup, given his consistency and playmaking ability.
