Eagles Today

Eagles Star On The Verge Of Return; Key Defender Misses Practice Again

Receiver DeVonta Smith is trending toward a return to the Eagles lineup in Baltimore but things look bleak for Darius Slay

John McMullen

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith at practice on Nov. 29, 2024.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith at practice on Nov. 29, 2024. / John McMullen/Eagles on SI
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PHILADELPHIA - It’s trending toward DeVonta Smith returning in Baltimore on Sunday. That’s the good news for the 9-2 Eagles as they began their final practice before Sunday’s game at 8-4 Baltimore.

The bad news is that cornerback Darius Slay missed practice for a third consecutive day while in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Fourth-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers will be the next man up for Slay against the Ravens.

Smith missed the Week 12 win at the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury he aggravated the week prior against Washington.

The star receiver looked spry in the small portion of Friday’s practice open to reporters.

Rookie WR Johnny Wilson, who had not been on prior status reports this week, was watching the stretching session and not participating with an undisclosed injury that will be revealed on the final injury report that will be released Friday afternoon.

The only other injury designation this week for the Eagles was CB Kelee Ringo, who missed Wednesday’s practice with a calf injury. By Thanksgiving Day, Ringo was back in a limited fashion and was again on the practice Friday, a strong sign he will be available for the Ravens.

Without Slay in the lineup, Ringo would serve as the top backup to both Rodgers and the other starting corner, Quinyon Mitchell. Ringo also serves as the team’s top gunner in punt coverage.

The Eagles also rested edge rusher Josh Sweat, star running back Saquon Barkley and the entire offensive line, from left to right: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton and Lane Johnson, earlier in the week. All are good to go for the game on Sunday.

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John McMullen
JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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