The Eagles are getting a pass-rushing reinforcement back ahead of a Monday night showdown with the Packers. The team has activated edge rusher Nolan Smith from IR, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith is returning less than a week after Philadelphia opened his 21-day practice window.
The Eagles have gotten off to a 6-2 start despite limited contributions from Smith, who has been out since suffering a strained triceps in Week 3. Smith started in his first three appearances this year and logged 10 tackles.
After working in a reserve role as a rookie, the 2023 first-round pick from Georgia broke through last season with 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 16 games (10 starts). Smith performed even better during the Eagles’ four-game playoff run, notching 16 tackles and four sacks to help the team to a championship. However, he tore his triceps in the Eagles’ 40-22 Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs and had to undergo surgery.
Fortunately for Smith and the Eagles, the 24-year-old’s latest triceps injury wasn’t as severe as the one he suffered last February. He’ll now return to a pass-rushing group that has undergone a makeover during the past couple of weeks. The Eagles brought franchise icon Brandon Graham out of retirement in late October. Not content to stop there, general manager Howie Roseman acquired Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins for a third-round pick before last Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Smith-Graham-Phillips trio will play together for the first time Monday in a potential playoff preview against the 5-2-1 Packers. They’ll join Jalyx Hunt and Joshua Uche as the Eagles’ main edge options.
Along with activating Smith, the Eagles elevated outside linebacker Patrick Johnson from their practice squad on Monday. Johnson has played in seven games this year and picked up one sack. With 136 special teams snaps this season, he ranks fifth on the team.