Eagles Turn to In-House Veterans to Fill Nolan Smith’s Void
The Philadelphia Eagles are poised to lean on their depth as they navigate the loss of edge rusher Nolan Smith, who is expected to miss at least a month due to an exacerbation of a prior triceps injury. With Smith sidelined, the spotlight now shifts to the team’s veteran options who have yet to see game action this season.
Injury Update on Smith
Nolan Smith’s injury—a recurrence of the torn triceps he sustained during the Super Bowl—has left the Eagles in a challenging position. Although he was seen in the locker room following Wednesday’s practice, Smith chose to remain tight-lipped about the specifics of his condition. When pressed about the injury, he simply stated, “Nah, we’re good. Everything’s OK,” before promising to address the situation more fully the following day.
Veteran Options Emerging
In light of Smith’s absence, the responsibility to step up now falls to Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Patrick Johnson. Each player brings unique experience and skill to the table, but Ojulari, in particular, has expressed eagerness to play. Having remained inactive through the first three games of the season, he acknowledged the frustration of not being on the field.
“Everyone wants to play,” Ojulari said. “The veteran in me wants to be out there and competing and showing them what I can do. It’s the first time being inactive and all, so it was tough. But whatever it is for the team to win, I’ll do.”
The Need for a Bigger Role
With Smith sidelined, the Eagles are counting on these veterans to step into larger roles and contribute significantly. The initial plan for the season had focused on integrating new talent, but now the urgency is apparent.
As the team prepares for the upcoming games, the need for a reliable edge presence grows more critical. The Eagles will be looking to capitalize on the experience of their in-house veterans to maintain their defensive edge in Smith’s absence.
The coming weeks will be a test not just of individual capabilities, but also of the team’s depth and resilience as they navigate this unexpected challenge.
