DeVonta Smith Injury Update: Is Eagles WR Playing in Week 5?

The Philadelphia Eagles are having a couple of weeks to forget, coming off 27-7 and 24-20 losses vs. the Bears and Rams. Following a 7-point performance, the offense continued to struggle with 3.0 yards per play in Week 4, and injuries are playing a factor.

Philadelphia was without its top wide receiver DeVonta Smith last week. He continues to battle a hamstring injury ahead of Week 5’s game vs. the Jaguars in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11.

For Sunday’s matchup between potential playoff teams, let’s look at the latest DeVonta Smith injury update and how his status shifts fantasy football and Eagles vs. Jaguars picks for PrizePicks.

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DeVonta Smith Injury Update: Will Smith Play This Week vs. Jaguars?

Following a full workload in his first two games, DeVonta Smith popped up on the injury report with a hamstring injury before Week 3. After not practicing one day, he managed to appear in a 27-7 blowout loss vs. the Bears on Monday Night Football.

Smith took a step back in progressing last week, failing to practice all three days, and he ultimately missed Week 4’s 24-20 loss vs. the Rams.

On Wednesday, Smith went through individual stretching at practice. Smith seems to be progressing, as he was running in individual drills during Thursday’s practice.

But to play in Week 5, Smith will likely need to join team practice on Friday. There’s been concern that he has reaggravated his preseason hamstring injury, sparking rumors of a multi-game absence. 

Philadelphia has produced 18.8 PPG (26th), 4.7 yards per play (27th), and a 36.7% success rate (30th), per RBSDM. If Smith cannot go against a Jaguars defense yielding only 13.3 PPG (second), where else could this Eagles offense produce? 

Eagles Fantasy Football Outlook If DeVonta Smith Is Out

DeVonta Smith isn’t the only injury on Philly’s offense. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley exited Week 4 with a hamstring injury, and he did not practice on Wednesday. TE Dallas Goedert missed the past two games, though he’s been limited in back-to-back practices this week.

Then, there’s the offensive line. Long-time star RT Lane Johnson elected to retire effective immediately, and C Cam Jurgens was traded to the Ravens on Wednesday. Plus, G Landon Dickerson is still on injured reserve.

For now, G Willie Lampkin, C Drew Kendall, and OT Markel Bell are expected to fill the starting lineup. Adding to concern, Kendall has been absent from back-to-back practices. 

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts comes off a game throwing for 93 passing yards and is now down to a 38.8% success rate (28th) and 0.015 adjusted EPA per play (24th) this season.

First-round rookie WR Makai Lemon has also made a minimal impact with 2.5 receptions and 16.3 receiving yards per game with a dreadful 0.56 yards per route run, per Pro Football Focus. 

If Smith is inactive on Sunday, matters will only get worse. According to PlayerProfiler, he touts a massive 33.3% target share (second), 47.7% air yards share (fifth), and 94.2% snap share (second).

Assuming Goedert returns from injury this week, he logged 5 targets for 4 receptions and 77 receiving yards in Week 1. WR Darius Cooper had a team-high 7 targets last week, generating 3 catches, 33 receiving yards, and 2 receiving TDs.

After averaging 73.5 receiving yards per game in his first two games, WR Dontayvion Wicks has posted 25.0 receiving yards per game over his last two. According to PrizePicks, Wicks is projected for 47.5 receiving yards, ahead of Makai Lemon (32.5 receiving yards) and Darius Cooper (23.5 receiving yards) vs. the Jaguars on Sunday.

With Jacksonville allowing only 3.3 yards per carry (third), the Eagles could be forced to throw the ball, especially if Saquon is out. Goedert and Cooper are potential targets for NFL picks if Smith is out.

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The Eagles offense is struggling, and it could only get worse if DeVonta Smith continues to miss time. Dallas Goedert and Darius Cooper could lead an uninspiring pass attack vs. the Jaguars on Sunday.

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