DeVonta Smith return timetable updated

DeVonta Smith suffered a minor knee injury during practice last week. The initial timetable on the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver was week-to-week.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni updated Smith’s return date on Saturday. The No. 10 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft might miss Thursday’s preseason game against the Patriots, but the new timetable puts him on track to return for the preseason finale against the Jets on Aug. 27.

“Right now, he’s day-to-day,” Sirianni said on Saturday. “I don’t want to put a timetable as far as if he’ll be ready for Thursday. I don’t know yet. So, he’s working hard and working hard to get back, and our trainers and our strength staff is doing a great job of bringing him back. So, he’s day to day and look forward to seeing him out there in practice soon.”

What DeVonta Smith brings to Philadelphia

A 6-foot, 170-pound wideout had 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, becoming the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since former Michigan star Desmond Howard in 1991. He also helped Alabama win the national championship with a win over Ohio State. Smith was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and won the Walter Camp, Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung awards, too.

He finished his collegiate career with 235 catches for 3,965 yards and 46 touchdowns. Now he has reunited with his old Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia. The two have reignited their on-field chemistry this preseason. The duo spent two seasons together before Hurts transferred to Oklahoma.

“It’s great to have that connection come back,” Smith said during practice this summer. “It just feels like old times, like back in college.”

Despite rumors that the Eagles have interest in trading for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, Hurts is Philadelphia’s No. 1 quarterback with former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco as his backup. Hurts took over the starting job last season when Carson Wentz struggled and eventually was sidelined with injuries.

Smith will be one of the top targets for Hurts this season, along with versatile tight end Zach Ertz. He joins a wide receiver corps that includes veteran wideouts Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham. The Eagles finished 26th in the league last season in receiving yards.