Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is unlikely to play in Sunday’s Week 4 home game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a persistent hamstring injury, according to reporting from ESPN and NFL Network. Smith missed practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving the Eagles’ offense without its most heavily targeted pass-catcher.
Hamstring Injury Sidelines DeVonta Smith
The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for a critical matchup against the Los Angeles Rams without clear optimism that their top wide receiver will take the field. Smith was listed as a non-participant on the team’s estimated injury report after a walkthrough on Wednesday, and he remained out of practice on Thursday.
While Smith managed to play through a hamstring issue ahead of the team’s Week 3 Monday night game against the Chicago Bears—progressing from a Thursday absence to limited practice on Friday and full participation on Saturday—insiders report that this week’s trajectory points toward an absence. Speaking on the PHLY Eagles podcast, Bo Wulf indicated that the wideout could miss multiple contests.
“I heard at the beginning of this week that DeVonta is likely to miss this game and maybe another one. Could be a two or three week hamstring injury.”
Bo Wulf, via Yahoo Sports
NFL insider Mike Garafolo described Smith as legitimately questionable
for Sunday’s 1:00 PM kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field, though the team has not yet formally applied a final game status designation.
Philadelphia Adjusts Offensive Depth Chart
Through the first three games of the season, quarterback Jalen Hurts has targeted Smith on 32.9% of his pass attempts—marking the second-highest rate across the entire NFL. Smith has hauled in 19 receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown, accounting for 37.9% of the team’s receiving yardage.
Tight end Dallas Goedert remains sidelined with a knee injury, and receiver Hollywood Brown has also missed practice time this week with an ankle issue. To help offset these absences, the Eagles are expected to elevate Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Makai Lemon in the rotation.
Wicks was acquired in an offseason trade from the Green Bay Packers and signed to a one-year, $10.5 million extension through 2027.
“I already that had confidence. Been had it.”
Dontayvion Wicks, via The Philadelphia Inquirer
Wicks has recorded nine catches for 179 yards and one score through three games. Alongside Wicks and Lemon, the active receiving corps is set to feature Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore, and Britain Covey.
Rams Face Roster Challenges Ahead of Sunday Kickoff
Head Coach Sean McVay’s squad will be without starting cornerback Jaylen Watson, who sustained a dislocated shoulder during a Week 3 loss to the Denver Broncos. The Rams have also listed defensive tackle Aaron Donald, linebacker Nate Landman, and nose tackle Poona Ford as non-participants in practice due to various injuries.
Los Angeles received a boost with confirmation that receiver Puka Nacua is expected to play on Sunday after missing time since Week 1.
Additional injury reports note that linebacker Zack Baun is managing a concussion and missed practice alongside Smith, Brown, Goedert, and Fred Johnson. If Baun cannot suit up against the Rams, third-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is preparing to step into a starting role alongside Jihaad Campbell. On the other side of the ball, the Rams listed four players under limited participation: starting receiver Puka Nacua, starting linebacker Nate Landman, starting safety Kamren Kinchens, and depth cornerback Josh Wallace.
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