Nolan Smith Jr. Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Eagles vs Cowboys game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 11, 2025
Notches first sack in return
Smith posted two tackles (both solo), including 1.0 sacks, in a 10-7 win over the Packers on Monday Night Football.
ANALYSIS
The Packers had driven past the Eagles' 30-yard line late in the second quarter when Smith halted their momentum with a sack of Jordan Love. One play later, Love was sacked again (this time by Nakobe Dean) and turned the ball over on a fumble. Smith logged just a 28 percent defensive snap share, as he was coming off a five-game absence due to a triceps injury.
Nov 10, 2025
Officially cleared for MNF
Smith (triceps) is active for Monday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
The Eagles activated Smith from injured reserve earlier in the day, and the third-year pro has officially been cleared to return from a five-game absence. He posted 10 tackles (four solo) and a forced fumble in three games before suffering a triceps injury.
Nov 10, 2025
Activated from IR
The Eagles activated Smith (triceps) ahead of Monday night's game against the Packers, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith remains questionable for Monday's game, but his activation from injured reserve indicates that he will return from a five-game absence due to a triceps injury he sustained in Week 3 against the Rams. Joshua Uche, Jalyx Hunt and Jihaad Campbell will see less rotational snaps at linebacker if Smith is in fact cleared to play against Green Bay.
Nov 8, 2025
Questionable to play Week 10
Smith (triceps) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
Smith logged a trio of full practices during Week 10 prep, and the 2023 first-rounder is trending toward being activated from injured reserve ahead of Monday night's contest. He is in the final stages of his recovery from a triceps injury that caused him to miss the Eagles' last five games. Smith's return would result in less defensive snaps being available for Joshua Uche and Jihaad Campbell.
Nov 7, 2025
Logs another full practice
Smith (triceps) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Smith's 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened Tuesday. The third-year pro has opened Week 10 prep with back-to-back full practices, and he told reporters after Friday's practice that he expects to play against the Packers, per Zach Berman of The Athletic. Smith missed the Eagles' five games prior to the Week 9 bye due to a triceps injury that landed him on IR.
Nov 6, 2025
Returns to practice with full session
Smith (triceps) was a full practice participant Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Smith landed on IR due to a triceps injury in late September. He was designated to return to practice Tuesday and was a full participant in the Eagles' first practice of the week. The expectation when Smith went on IR was that he'd be able to return for this coming Monday's matchup against Green Bay, and that still appears to be in play, though Philadelphia would first have to activate the third-year linebacker off IR.
Nov 4, 2025
Gets clearance to practice
Philadelphia designated Smith (triceps) for return to practice from its injured reserve list Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Smith was originally placed on injured reserve with a lingering triceps injury after Week 3 versus the Rams, but it now appears he's on track to returning to the field soon. The Eagles will have 21 days to officially activate Smith before they would be required to keep him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Sep 24, 2025
Expected back after Week 9 bye
The Eagles placed Smith (triceps) on injured reserve Wednesday and anticipate him retaking the field in time to suit up Nov. 10 versus the Packers in Week 10, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith's placement on IR is official, and it appears that he'll be forced to miss more than the four-game minimum required by that transaction. He aggravated the same triceps that required him to undergo surgery after Philadelphia's win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Za'Darius Smith will likely handle a larger role on defense, beginning Sunday against the Buccaneers, with Smith sidelined.
Sep 5, 2025
Sees big snap share Thursday
Smith recorded four tackles (one solo) during Thursday's 24-20 win versus the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
Smith didn't exactly stuff the stat sheet in Week 1, but he played 52 of Philadelphia's 61 defensive snaps Thursday, a promising indicator for the rest of the season. He showed flashes of double-digit sack potential in 2024, and he'll be looking for his first of 2025 against a pass-first Kansas City team in Week 2.
Aug 13, 2025
Cleared to practice
Smith (concussion) participated in the Eagles' joint practice against the Browns on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Smith has been sidelined due to a concussion, but his appearance in team drills Wednesday indicates that he has passed the league's five-step concussion protocol. The Georgia product is coming off a productive 2024 campaign in which he logged 42 total tackles and 6.5 sacks over 16 regular-season games and added 4.0 sacks across the Eagles' four postseason contests. Given his ability to work in team drills, Smith is tracking towards being available for Saturday's preseason game against the Browns.
Aug 4, 2025
Leaves practice early
Smith (concussion) exited practice early Monday, Andrew DiCecco of InsideTheBirds.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The edge rusher was dealing with a concussion as early as last Tuesday, an injury he likely suffered the previous day, July 28, per Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia. If this is the same issue, Smith's exit from Monday's session may just be a precaution. The Georgia product broke out in his second NFL season last year, recording 42 tackles (21 solo), including 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in the regular season and 4.0 more sacks during Philadelphia's Super Bowl run.
Jul 28, 2025
Practicing during camp
Smith (triceps) is practicing during training camp, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.
ANALYSIS
The edge rusher suffered a torn triceps during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs in February and needed offseason surgery. Smith said in June that his rehab was going well, per Brooks Kubena of The Athletic, and he has been participating since the start of training camp last week. The 2023 first-round pick enjoyed a strong second season in the pros last year, recording 42 tackles (21 solo), including 6.5 sacks, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble in the regular season and 4.0 more sacks in the playoffs.
Jun 3, 2025
Recovering well from surgery
Smith (triceps) said Tuesday that his rehab is going well, and he expects to be "striking" next week, Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith suffered a torn triceps in the Eagles' Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. The 2023 first-rounder had a breakout second NFL season, recording 42 tackles (21 solo), including 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble across 16 regular-season contests. He then tallied 4.0 additional sacks during the playoffs. Smith is expected to serve as Philly's top edge rusher following the departures of Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff and Brandon Graham.
Feb 21, 2025
Undergoes surgery to repair triceps
Smith had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn triceps injury that he suffered during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs on Feb. 9, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith played at least 52 defensive snaps in each of the Eagles' first three playoff games, but he was limited to just 30 snaps on defense in the Super Bowl after tearing his triceps in the first half. He was able to play through the injury in the second half, and the 2023 first-round pick is expected to be ready for the 2025 campaign after undergoing surgery. Smith finished the 2024 regular season with 42 tackles (22 solo), including 6.5 sacks, two pass defenses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 16 games.
Feb 16, 2025
Takes a leap in 2024
Smith recorded 42 tackles (22 solo), including 6.5 sacks, and two passes defended across 16 regular-season games. He also tallied 16 tackles (7 solo), including four sacks, while playing in four postseason games.
ANALYSIS
Smith went from a fringe role player who logged one sack as a rookie to a significant contributor down the stretch of Philadephia's run to Super Bowl LIX. The 2023 first-round pick started 10 of the final 11 games of the regular season, and he regularly played over 70 percent of defensive snaps after Week 12. He also led the team with four sacks in the postseason. Smith appears primed to serve as one of the Eagles' top pass rushers during the 2025 campaign.
Jan 31, 2025
Cleared for Super Bowl
Smith (illness) doesn't have an injury designation for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Smith missed practice Thursday but was able to return to a limited session Friday. The third-year edge rusher has had a big postseason to date, logging 16 tackles (seven solo), including 4.0 sacks, and one forced fumble across three contests.
Jan 30, 2025
Under the weather
Smith (illness) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Smith popped up on Thursday's injury report due to an illness. It's unclear how severe the illness is, but he'll have plenty of time to recover as Super Bowl LIX doesn't take place until Sunday, Feb. 9. The 2023 first-round pick has logged 16 tackles (seven solo) and one forced fumble across the Eagles' three playoff games.
Dec 23, 2024
Logs another sack in loss
Smith recorded three total tackles (all solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
Smith, a 2023 first-round pick from Georgia, has taken advantage of his increased playing time since Brandon Graham (triceps) has been sidelined over the last four weeks, recording 16 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one pass defended during that span. The second-year pro has now accumulated 6.5 sacks over 15 appearances this season and is expected to remain one of the Eagles' starting edge rushers in the Week 17 matchup against the Cowboys.
Dec 18, 2024
Sacks Wilson in Week 15 win
Smith registered four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, during the Eagles' 27-13 win over the Steelers this past Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Smith sacked Russell Wilson for a 10-yard loss late in the second quarter, which forced the Steelers to settle for a 49-yard field-goal attempt that was successfully converted by Chris Boswell. Smith is up to 5.5 sacks through 14 regular-season games, 3.0 of which have come over the Eagles' last five games. He'll look to add to that total against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday.
Dec 3, 2024
Looks good in expanded role
Smith recorded eight tackles (three solo) including 1.0 sacks during Sunday's 24-19 win at Baltimore.
ANALYSIS
When Brandon Graham was sent to injured reserve with a triceps injury he suffered in Week 12, it was expected that Smith would see an increase in playing time. Sure enough, he played a season-high 57 defensive snaps in Week 13, and he came away with a season-high tackle total to show for it. He appears to be penciled in for a near-every down role for Week 14 versus the Panthers.
Oct 21, 2024
Logs another sack in win
Smith recorded two total tackles (both solo), including 1.0 sacks and an additional tackle for loss in Sunday's 28-3 win over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
The 2023 first-round pick has seen increased playing time with Philadelphia's first-team defense over the past two weeks, recording five total tackles, including 2.0 sacks. Smith could continue seeing more work as one of the Eagles' top edge rushers as the season progresses, especially if he keeps playing the way he has over the last two games.
Jan 20, 2024
Mostly special teams as rookie
Smith recorded 18 tackles and 1.0 sack in 17 regular-season games in his rookie season.
ANALYSIS
Smith's low numbers are at least somewhat due to his role, as he didn't play more than eight defensive snaps in a game until Week 12. His season high in that category remained at 21 until the final week of the regular season, when the team rested several starters. The 30th-overall pick will look to compete for a larger defensive role in camp this summer.
Sep 6, 2023
Clears injury report
Smith was not on the Eagles' injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Smith missed the second half of training camp after sustaining a shoulder injury during a preseason game against the Browns on Aug. 17. He should be ready to go for Week 1 and will provide valuable depth to the Eagles' linebacker corps behind Haason Reddick, Nakobe Dean and Zach Cunningham.
Aug 28, 2023
Still not practicing
Smith (shoulder) will not participate in Monday's practice, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith has not practiced since injuring his right shoulder during a preseason game against the Browns on Aug. 17. The rookie first-round pick has just under two weeks left to get back to full health before Sept. 10's regular-season opener at New England.
Aug 17, 2023
Hurts shoulder in preseason contest
Smith suffered a right shoulder injury in Thursday's preseason game against Cleveland and is questionable to return.
ANALYSIS
Smith headed to the medical tent while favoring his right arm in the first half and subsequently went to the locker room. The rookie notched one tackle before his exit. Given that Thursday's contest is an exhibition game, it would be surprising to see Smith return.
Apr 27, 2023
Falls to Philly at 30th pick
The Eagles selected Smith in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 30th overall.
ANALYSIS
Smith was rumored to be heading toward the first 10 picks of the draft prior to Thursday, so for the Eagles to get Smith this late is quite surprising. For the rest of the NFC East it might be cause for full-blown panic, because the Eagles were looking strong on defense even before they added Smith and his sub-4.4 speed. The Georgia product is too light to play the edge much at under 240 pounds, but Smith showed a freakish ability to hold up at the point of attack in college, even when going against players heavier than him.
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