DeVonta Smith back in pads for the Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is running routes again at practice after missing recent training camp activities and a preseason game due to a tweaked knee.
It was Smith’s first day back at practice since Day 4 of training camp. Smith suffered the injury in late July during camp. Since then, Smith has been listed week-to-week, then just days ago, head coach Nick Sirianni stated Smith was day-to-day, per Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation.
Smith missed the Eagles preseason opener against the Steelers on Thursday. The Eagles lost 24-16.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Eagles beat reporter Tim McManus posted a video of the former Alabama star going through conditioning work wearing his helmet, jersey and shorts, no pads, as he worked towards his return
On Monday, McManus and other local media posted videos of the Heisman winner running routes at practice in full pads.
John Clark of NBC Philadelphia shared a video of Smith catching passes from quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Devonta Smith is reunited with Hurts, who quarterbacked Alabama Smith’s freshman year, and split time with Tua Tagovailoa during Smith’s sophomore year, before transferring to Oklahoma.
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Smith joins an Eagles receiving corp was selected in hopes to boost an Eagles offense that finished 28th in passing yards and last in net yards gained per pass attempt. When asked about becoming the WR1 as a rookie, Smith told reporters: “That’s the plan.”
He joins returning receivers Jalen Reagor, Quez Watkins along with tight ends Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz. Running back Miles Sanders is also expected to be a part of the passing game after posting 706 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons. The Eagles also drafted running back Kenneth Gainwell from Memphis in the 2021 NFL Draft. Gainwell is expected to contribute in the pass and run game.
In his Alabama career, DeVonta Smith recorded 3965 career receiving yards and 46 touchdowns. As a senior, Smith won the Heisman Trophy and helped lead the Rolling Tide to a national championship. He recorded 1856 recieiving yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 142.8 yards per game.
Smith holds the SEC and Alabama career record for receiving touchdowns with 46. He also holds the program record for receptions with 235 in his career.
Smith was selected by the Eagles with the tenth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
As a recruit, Smith was a four-star prospect from Amite (LA.). Most notably, he earned Most Outstanding Player in 2016 LHSAA Class 3A state football championship game.