Over the offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles added elite talent to the roster. Perhaps the best addition to the team was the trade that brought in wide receiver A.J. Brown to work opposite DeVonta Smith.
With Brown on the team, Smith does not need to shoulder the bulk of the pass-catching duties. He was the leader in targets, receptions and touchdowns for the Eagles last season.
The players can split that responsibility. And that could be beneficial for Smith and the rest of the offense.
Either receiver can put up remarkable numbers; however, one can step up in the case that the other goes down for any time. That scenario could come up as soon as training camp.
DeVonta Smith is day-to-day with a groin injury
DeVonta Smith dealing with groin injury #NFL #NFLNews#FantasyFootball
He didn't practice today but it doesn't seem to be serious. The #Eagles are just being cautious with the 2nd year WR pic.twitter.com/7pJTJuDa4S— Belly Up Sports' MD's Fantasy Football Show (@bellyupmdffshow) August 4, 2022
The sophomore wide receiver has a groin injury that is said not to be serious. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni chalked the injury up to “wear and tear” during an interview.
“We’re being cautious with him. We know how important he is to this organization,” Sirianni said.
The injury doesn’t seem serious. However, the Eagles should remain cautious with the star receiver and not rush him back.
An aggravation of an injury occurs when a player returns to the field of play before they are fully ready to do so.
Eagle-eyed football fans might remember a similar injury that ruined an NFC East wideout’s season in 2021.
Curtis Samuel ruined his season by coming back from a groin injury too soon
Curtis Samuel came off a breakout 2020 season with the Carolina Panthers and reunited with former coach Ron Rivera on the then Washington Football Team.
However, Samuel was limited to just five games in his first year with his new team. Not only that, but Samuel saw a sparing amount of use in the games he played.
Why?
He returned too early from a groin injury.
WFT WR Curtis Samuel is expected to be removed from the COVID-19 list this week, but still has been nursing a groin injury that forced him to start camp on PUP. The groin injury is slowing his return. https://t.co/k00SR9d1s8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2021
He started camp on the PUP list. However, he returned too early after missing the first three games of the season. Samuel returned for the next two games, re-aggravated the injury, missed the next five games, returned for three more, aggravated the groin ailment again, and missed the remainder of the season.
It is needless to say that 2021 was a rollercoaster for him.
This season could be tumultuous for Smith if the Eagles let him come back too early from his groin injury. As a result, the organization should proceed with caution with the second-year player. The Eagles recognize his importance to the squad. Therefore, the team should understand that he needs rest in hopes that his 2022 doesn’t become Samuel’s 2021 season.