Overview
- Both DeVonta Smith and rookie Makai Lemon did not practice on Tuesday because of hamstring injuries and the Eagles described neither setback as a current long-term concern.
- Lemon’s hamstring first surfaced in spring and caused him to miss mandatory minicamp, so missing more team drills this month limits his chances to build timing with Jalen Hurts and learn Sean Mannion’s play concepts.
- Philadelphia is managing the injuries conservatively to avoid re-injury as padded practices ramp up and the preseason approaches.
- The absences have produced more first-team reps for depth receivers such as Dontayvion Wicks and Darius Cooper, with Wicks emerging as an early favorite for the primary role opposite Smith.
- Beat reporters and team sources say medical staff will monitor both players closely and that joint practices and preseason games will be decisive in how the receiver pecking order settles.