Eagles WR DeVonta Smith speaks on illegal hit that gave him concussion

Since joining the Eagles in 2021, wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been a reliable and durable asset for the offense.

It took an illegal hit from Saints DT Khristian Boyd to cause Smith to miss his second career game.

Now back in action, Smith reflected on the hit he took in Week 3 against the Saints and whether it was intentional. The incident occurred during the fourth quarter when Smith caught a 5-yard pass from Jalen Hurts.

After his forward momentum was halted and he was being pushed backward, Boyd delivered a hit to Smith, who was in a defenseless position. Smith was on the ground for several minutes before walking off and being ruled out with a concussion.

“I don’t feel like it was dirty,” Smith said Friday. “He did hit me in the head but I feel more like the whistle should have been blown. It’s probably a fine line.”

Smith recalled getting up from the hit but has little memory of what happened afterward.

“I remember everything up until I went to the locker room,” Smith said.

Despite missing a game, Smith still ranks second on the Eagles in receptions (21) and receiving yards (239), along with one touchdown.

With both Smith and A.J. Brown back, the Eagles’ offense is expected to regain its explosive potential — something that was noticeably absent in the Week 4 loss to Tampa Bay.

In that game, the Eagles’ wide receivers were targeted 12 times, combining for seven catches and only 34 yards, averaging a mere 4.9 yards per reception.

“Feels good just to get back out here around the guys,” Smith said. “Two weeks away from them. So just good to get back around the guys and just get back to playing football.”

Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith for SIX.

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