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Just days into his first NFL training camp, Philadelphia Eagles rookie DeVonta Smith suffered an MCL injury that will cost him valuable time before the 2021 season.
Smith, the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, suffered a knee injury this past week during practice. He underwent an MRI over the weekend, which revealed he suffered an MCL sprain.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the issue is expected to sideline him for the next two to three weeks. Fortunately, as of now, the Eagles don’t expect Smith to miss start of the regular season.
- DeVonta Smith college stats: 117 receptions, 1,856 receiving yards, 23 touchdowns and 15.9 ypc
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner arrived for camp with an opportunity to be the Eagles’ No. 1 wide receiver immediately. With Alshon Jeffery gone and Travis Fulgham set for a complementary role, Philadelphia’s passing offense is set to run through its top pick.
It marks the second consecutive year the Eagles’ first-round pick suffered an injury in training camp. Jalen Reagor, 22nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, missed a month after suffering a shoulder injury in August last year. Shortly after his return, he landed on the injured list after suffering a ligament tear in his thumb.
Unfortunately for Smith, the lost practice reps are valuable. While the Eagles are calling it a quarterback competition, Jalen Hurts will be the team’s starter in 2021. Now, with at least two weeks of practice missed, there won’t be an opportunity for the rookie receiver and second-year quarterback to work on their timing.
With Smith sidelined and Reagor dealing with a lower-body injury, the Eagles’ depth chart is alarmingly thin at wide receiver at an important time of the summer.
