DeVonta Smith officially ruled out for Week 5

Smith hasn’t been seen on the practice field since Week 3 ended, so to say the practice week matters would perhaps be underselling it. Expect Smith to play if he practices at all, though, as the veteran often has suited up with little practice time in the past.

Smith is on the wrong side of questionable for the Eagles’ Week 5 game against the Jaguars, and at this point, we expect him to be ruled out tomorrow. Dallas Goedert (knee) is practicing and could end up operating as the team’s top pass catcher.

Smith still has not returned to practice since last week, continuing to deal with a hamstring injury. Given his lack of practice reps ahead of travelling to London for Week 5, Smith is on the wrong side of questionable for this week’s matchup against the Jaguars. Also not practicing was WR Hollywood Brown (ankle). The Eagles will play Week 5 with a severely banged-up skill position group.

The question with Smith now becomes if he’s ready to return for Week 5 against the Jaguars. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo has reported it is unlikely. It’s a brutal, brutal development for fantasy managers who thought they were getting a breakout WR1 after Smith’s years of WR2 grinding. Dontayvion Wicks and first-round rookie Makai Lemon will try to pick up the targets slack, though veteran TE Zach Ertz will undoubtedly do some of the dirty work.

Smith has already been ruled out for Week 4. The Eagles take on the Jags in London next week. It sounds like fantasy managers should be prepared to be without their start receiver for that contest as well. Dontayvion Wicks currently profiles as the team’s top wideout, but it’s hard to imagine the team not getting first-round rookie Makai Lemon more involved as well. Both players are solid FLEX options for Week 4.

Smith didn’t practice at all this week and enters Week 5 in a precarious position. Dontayvion Wicks should take over as the team’s No. 1 receiver, and it’s possible Makai Lemon will get more involved as well as the Eagles try to stay above .500 against the Rams.

The Eagles limited Smith’s practice reps last week, and he successfully suited up on game day, nabbing 6-of-8 targets for 65 yards. Apparently, the performance took a toll. The Eagles will likely be without their No. 1 wide receiver this week. Dontayvion Wicks will fill in as the team’s top receiver.

Smith practiced on the second of the three practice days ahead of last Monday night in a limited fashion, but it’s hard to determine how worried we should be, as the Eagles may simply be trying to give him more rest ahead of this Sunday’s game against the Rams. He’s missed both of the first two practices of the week this time around. Friday’s report will be very instructive. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo later chimed in to say that it sounds like Smith is “legitimately questionable” to play in Week 4.

This is the same routine Smith followed last week before ultimately suiting up against the Bears on Monday Night Football. Perhaps the pattern changes with the Eagles on a short week against the Rams, but we would fully expect Smith to be out there as a high-end WR2 this weekend.

Smith notched five of his six receptions before the break while appearing to be on his way to his second solid outing of the young season. Things would change after the half as the Eagles started with three consecutive three-and-outs, leaving Smith with only one additional reception. Smith remains the clear alpha on a roster now without A.J. Brown following his offseason trade and Dallas Goedert due to injury, and should return better counting stats in the immediate future. Treat Smith as an upside WR2 ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the Rams.