PHILADELPHIA — For all the hullabaloo about Jalen Hurts’ ankle, on which he fully practiced the last two days and which hasn’t hampered him in games, the actual problem turned out to be DeVonta Smith’s lingering hamstring injury.
The standout receiver, who had four catches on six targets last week, has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. He was unable to practice all week, so Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson — who have started to show flashes of what they can do — may have elevated roles.
“Both of them have made some big plays in the past couple weeks, Johnny catching his first touchdown pass, Jahan catching a deep ball in the Jacksonville game and then also the Dallas game,” head coach Nick Sirianni said.
“And then the things that we see in practice — these guys come to work hard every single day,” he said. “They put it on the line every single day. They have had good practices throughout the week, and we’re excited about their possibilities. … And we’ve had some good experiences with guys this year that have stepped in and contributed, and that’s an awesome part of a team.”
Receiver/punt returner Britain Covey (shoulder) is questionable against L.A., although he was a full participant in every practice this week. Linebacker Nakobe Dean (groin), outside backer Jalyx Hunt (ankle) and defensive tackle Milton Williams all fully participated Friday after being limited earlier.
The Rams listed starting right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) as doubtful for the game. He missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited on both Thursday and Friday.
The Eagles certainly have found an identity in running the offense through Saquon Barkley. Los Angeles is ranked 18th (127.3 yards per game) in the NFL, but the Birds know the league will make adjustments to counter their ground attack.
“As we advance, people are going to try to stop the run, so we’ve got to be able to adapt, we’ve got to be able to adjust, maybe more efficiently than we did last year,” right tackle Lane Johnson said. “I think those adjustments in between drives, especially at half — those are what build up to winning performances. So, we have to continue to do that.”
On the defensive side, the Birds’ young secondary will be squaring off against what could be the most talented group of receivers they’ve faced, with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to Cooper Kupp, Puca Nakua, Tutu Atwell and Demarcus Robinson.
“These guys are real good after contact, after the catch, YAC yardage,” Eagles cornerback Darius Slay said. “They’re tough receivers. I think this is the best receiving corps as a blocking receiving corps that’s really elite running routes and playing receiver. Them guys get down and dirty. Some guys just don’t insert and block; all their guys can insert and block.
“That’s the beauty of these guys,” he said. “They really all play together, and they’re not shy in blocking. None of that. Some of the big-time receivers don’t do that. … But them guys will.”
***
Cooper DeJean has filled in nicely returning punts in Covey’s absence, so the Eagles will have to decide whether or not to re-insert Covey into that role.
“Obviously, we’ll always do what we feel is best for our football team,” Sirianni said. “Coop has done a very, very good job returning the ball in Britain’s absence. Britain has done an excellent job, been one of the best guys in the league returning the punts when he was the punt returner.
“Good problem to have,” he said.
DeJean is averaging 11.7 yards per return, which is tied for seventh in the league, with a long of 31. Covey averaged 14.4 yards per return last season. He only had one return for nine yards this year before his injury.
——
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
