After causing some concern among fans by missing the open part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice on Friday, DeVonta Smith’s status for the Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was thrown into doubt. However, Eagles fans can breathe easy, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer quickly alleviated those worries, stating on social media that “DeVonta Smith, who wasn’t seen during the open portion of Eagles’ practice on Friday, just confirmed that he is OK and good to go for Sunday.”
That was a close call.
In Week 8, the Eagles featured Smith prominently after he had a disappointing -2 yards against the New York Giants the previous week, catching six of seven targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. With Doug Pederson’s Jaguars coming up in Week 9, and the first matchup against Dallas looming, Smith will be a crucial part of the Eagles’ strategy moving forward.
**Nick Sirianni Praises Smith’s Toughness**
Discussing Smith’s toughness as they head into Week 9, Nick Sirianni was asked about Smith’s ability to finish plays and stay in bounds despite contact. Sirianni emphasized the importance of physical toughness, noting that Smith and his fellow starters—AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert—embody this quality. “You want to be physically tough in everything you do,” he said. “There’s a right time to step out of bounds and a time to put your head down and finish the run. When you do that, it energizes the sideline and the game, just like a big catch does.”
