Overview
- Reporters relayed Monday that Mike Quick said both DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon are expected to resume full practice participation this week after roughly three weeks sidelined by hamstring injuries.
- The Eagles are taking a careful approach, with multiple outlets saying Smith is unlikely to be rushed into game action and Lemon’s game-day status for the preseason finale is still a decision the staff must make.
- Lemon confirmed the hamstring is the same leg issue that forced him out of spring workouts, and he told reporters he believes he can be “up to speed” for the Week 1 opener after taking mental reps while sidelined.
- Their recent absences opened first-team opportunities for players such as Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown and others, complicating the team’s evaluation as it heads toward Friday’s preseason game and the 53-man cuts.
- Hamstring injuries commonly recur and limit timing between a quarterback and receiver, so how quickly the Eagles give Lemon live reps and protect Smith will directly affect chemistry with Jalen Hurts and short-term roster planning.