DeVonta Smith felt ‘happy feeling’ upon return to Eagles practice

After sitting out for over two weeks with a knee injury, rookie DeVonta Smith returned to Eagles practice on Tuesday. 

“It felt good,” Smith said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Just getting back out there and doing some stuff and cutting and things like that. Going against somebody. It was a happy feeling. I’m excited. Just taking it day by day, step by step and continuing to get better and get more comfortable with [the offense].”

Smith noted that it is not his decision whether or not he plays Thursday, and he trusts the coaches. 

He took part in about 12 seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 against the Patriots in joint work outs in Philadelphia. The Eagles and Patriots play Thursday night in the second full week of preseason games. 

While he has not been participating in practice as usual, Smith attended every practice and paid diligent attention to every play. 

“That’s very important because once you come back, you have to be there mentally and know what you’re doing and things like that,” Smith said. “Even though I couldn’t play, I felt I was locked in mentally, and focused on the task at hand and doing the things I could do.”

Smith looks to jumpstart the Eagles’ WR room

In 2020, Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since former Michigan star Desmond Howard in 1991 and only the third pass catcher to ever join the elite club. The 6-foot, 170-pound receiver was named the Associated Press Player of the Year and won the Walter Camp, Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung awards, too. 

Last season Smith caught 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 scores. For context, Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore was second in the nation with 1,193 yards, 663 fewer than Smith. He finished his tenure at Alabama with 235 catches for 3,965 yards and 46 touchdowns. 

Smith’s quarterback in Philly is his old teammate Jalen Hurts, and the two have reignited their on-field chemistry this preseason. 

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

The Eagles traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft to snag Smith. They needed to improve their receiving corps after a dismal 2020. Philadelphia averaged just 233 receiving yards per game, which was 26th in the NFL. 

Should Smith have nagging issues with his knee, Jalen Reagor is the presumptive WR1 for the Eagles.