Wide receiver DeVonta Smith looks like he’s on track to return to the Eagles lineup against the Panthers on Sunday.
Smith was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Smith has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but practiced on a limited basis last week and was listed as questionable to play against the Ravens last Sunday before being declared inactive.
Cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) also missed the Ravens game and practiced on a limited basis. Running back Saquon Barkley (rest), guard Mekhi Becton (knee, rest), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (rest), cornerback Darius Slay (concussion), edge rusher Josh Sweat (rest), and wide receiver Johnny Wilson (hamstring) were also limited participants.
Safety Reed Blankenship (concussion), safety Sydney Brown (knee), wide receiver Britain Covey (neck), and tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) did not practice on Wednesday.
Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. apologized Wednesday for a heated altercation with Bucs players in the tunnel after the game.
Franklin was caught on video yelling for No. 33 — outside linebacker Jose Ramirez — near the Bucs locker room after the Panthers 26-23 overtime loss.
“Hey, tell 33 imma see his ass,” Franklin said, pointing toward Tampa Bay players. “On my grave, boy!”
A team staffer held back Franklin and then escorted the player back toward the Panthers locker room.
“There’s really nothing to talk about,” Franklin said, via video from Sheena Quick of 1340 AM Fox Sports. “We’re all professional athletes. That kind of stuff isn’t accepted in the NFL. Regardless of what happened on the field, we’ve got to keep those things in between the lines. It can’t spill out into the locker room or afterward, so I’d just like to apologize to the organization, my teammates and the owner, because that’s not how we want to view ourselves as professional athletes. That’s all I have to say about that situation.
“It’s a learning experience to me. It’s something I’m going to get better [at], and move forward doing better. This is something that has to be controlled and something that doesn’t need to be in the NFL.”
Coach Dave Canales talked to Franklin on Monday, and Franklin said he will accept any punishment from the league or the team.
“I’m not sure yet [if a fine is coming], but anything that happens, it comes with it, and I’m willing to accept that comes with it,” Franklin said, via video from David Newton of ESPN.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert avoided a major knee injury against the Ravens last Sunday, but he may not be able to play in Week 14.
According to multiple reports from the open portion of Eagles practice, Goedert is not practicing on Wednesday. Goedert missed three games with a hamstring injury earlier this season and has 38 catches for 441 yards and two touchdowns.
Safety Reed Blankenship is also out of practice on Wednesday. Blankenship suffered a concussion against the Ravens and reporters noted he was out on the practice field, so he has made some early progress in the concussion protocol.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), cornerback Darius Slay (concussion), and wide receiver Johnny Wilson (hamstring) were working after missing the win over the Ravens.
The Panthers had some positive injury news from Wednesday’s practice.
Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders returned to practice after suffering a neck injury on a scary play during Carolina’s loss to Kansas City in Week 12.
Sanders did not participate last week after suffering the injury and was carted off the field on a backboard. But per the team’s website, Sanders was on the field in a red non-contact jersey during the portion of practice open to media. He was a limited participant in the session.
Cornerback Caleb Farley (shoulder), linebacker Josey Jewell (hamstring), and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (knee) were also limited.
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (rest/knee) did not participate.
Receiver Jalen Coker (quad) and safety Nick Scott (hamstring) were full participants.
Despite Rashod Bateman suffering a knee injury during Sunday’s loss to the Eagles, Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson did not play a single snap in the contest.
Baltimore acquired Johnson from Carolina on Oct. 29. But Johnson has caught just one 6-yard pass in four appearances. He was active against the Eagles but ended up as one of two DNPs along with backup quarterback Josh Johnson.
Head coach John Harbaugh was ominous in his response about the receiver postgame and struck a similar tone in his Monday press conference.
“At this time, I’m going to have to wait,” Harbaugh said, via Jeff Zrebiec of TheAthletic.com. “There are some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and see where we’re at. It’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody.”
When asked if Johnson is going to stay on the team, Harbaugh stood by his original comment and noted the club will work it out over the next few days while on the bye week.
Johnson has played 39 offensive snaps in four games, receiving five targets.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson said postgame that the team wants Johnson on the field.
“He’s a great receiver,” Jackson said. “We didn’t get him from the Panthers for nothing. I don’t think so.”
But given the nature of Harbaugh’s comments, Johnson’s time with the Ravens could be coming to a close sooner than later.
