Report: Eagles get hit hard with injuries, Nolan Smith lands on IR

On Tuesday, the Eagles officially placed rising pass-rusher Nolan Smith on Injured Reserve, sidelining one of the defense’s most electric young talents.

Eagles place OLB Nolan Smith on IR. pic.twitter.com/7VobaObuGJ

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2025

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Smith, the 2023 first-round pick who broke out last season with 6.5 sacks and a franchise-record four in the playoffs, had already racked up eight pressures through three games in 2025. Now, the edge rotation takes a big hit just as the schedule starts to tighten.

Eagles Make a Flurry of Moves Around Nolan Smith’s Absence

Losing Smith wasn’t the only shakeup. The Eagles also placed cornerback Jakorian Bennett and wide receiver Darius Cooper on IR, then scrambled to fill the holes by signing safety Marcus Epps, tight end/fullback Cameron Latu, and cornerback Parry Nickerson to the 53-man roster. Epps is a familiar face in Philly, Latu has been moonlighting as a fullback, and Nickerson is a well-traveled veteran who last played under Vic Fangio in Miami.

Meanwhile, the practice squad just got a lot more interesting. Philadelphia brought back linebacker Lance Dixon, defensive back Eli Ricks, and wide receiver Quez Watkins, to keep some continuity and depth on standby.

What Nolan Smith’s Injury Means for the Eagles’ Defense

This injury obviously sucks. Without Smith, the Eagles are suddenly thinner on the edge and are going to be down one of their best defensive players.

Eagles Buzz: Howie Roseman might still be in the market for defensive help

The good news? Philadelphia still has a deep stable of linemen and linebackers, and if any front office knows how to plug a hole midseason, it’s Howie Roseman’s. But you can’t sugarcoat it, losing a young disruptor like Smith early in the year is a major setback.

The Eagles pride themselves on being the deepest roster in football, but injuries test that mantra. Nolan Smith landing on IR is a reality check for a defense that thrives on waves of pass rushers. With Epps, Latu, and Nickerson stepping up, and Quez Watkins lurking on the practice squad, Philadelphia’s next-man-up mentality is officially in full swing.