Nolan Smith injury update: Eagles make major roster decision on OLB

The Philadelphia Eagles made a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday, including a surprising move on linebacker Nolan Smith. The Eagles announced that they have placed Smith, cornerback Jakorian Bennett, and wide receiver Darius Cooper on injured reserve. They also signed safety Marcus Epps, tight end Cameron Latu, and cornerback Parry Nickerson to the 53-man active roster.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Smith strained his triceps. He expected to be out of action through the team’s bye week but could return for the game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 10. Smith had surgery on his tricps one week after the Super Bowl and aggravated the injury last week.

In three games this year, Smith recorded three pressures and 10 tackles. The former Georgia Bulldogs star had a breakout season in 2024, recording 6.5 sacks in the regular season and a team-record four sacks in the playoffs.

The Eagles selected Smith in the first round (No. 30 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. he had a slow start to his career, posting nine pressures and 1.5 sacks in 198 snaps during his rookie season. He turned things around in 2024 and helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

More on Nolan Smith and his career

“I think it shows you and everybody patience,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said in January, per CBS Sports. “Guys might not come in and just be world beaters, even though they were ones in college. They might not be world beaters right away. It takes some time to do it. 

“We’ve seen Nolan grow into this player with the things he was able to do today to help us win a playoff football game. I can’t say enough about Nolan. I could go on all day about that.”

After the Eagles selected him in 2023, Smith revealed his expectations for his career. “The sky’s the limit always,” he said. “I don’t want to set any goals or set anything, but just to be a group that works together and rushes as one unit … I just can’t wait to follow and learn the different things that they do here in Philly.”

The Eagles currently have a 3-0 record, earning wins against the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams. They will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a road contest on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.