Eagles Lose Nolan Smith for at Least a Month

What They're Saying

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "Gonna take the next four, maybe five weeks ... This is not a season-ender. It is more a get-right situation."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Smith sits tied for second among Eagles in total pressures through three games with 8, according to Pro Football Focus, trailing only DL Moro Ojomo.

Smith's absence figures to elevate Za'Darius Smith, who has already been running third among Eagles edge players over the past two weeks despite signing just after the Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

Jalyx Hunt remains as the other edge starter, with Ojomo seeing some edge duty but primarily playing inside.

Josh Uche has rushed effectively through his first three games in Philadelphia but has proved to be just a part-time player through his first five seasons (mostly spent with the Patriots).

Missing Smith obviously doens't help the defense, but he had started this season quietly. Smith has no sacks or tackles for loss to date and has notched just 1 QB hit.

The IR timing would return him one game before Philly's Week 9 bye. We could either view that as reason for the Eagles to hold him out through a fifth game or return Smith to the field with extra recovery time ahead of his second game back.

The Eagles' DST made for a shaky option at Tampa Bay this week even before Smith's injury news.