Surprising injury could put Eagles rookie receiver on injured list

PHILADELPHIA – Amid a series of expected cuts comes something quite unexpected.

Ainias Smith complained of ankle and thigh discomfort after playing 50 snaps (79 percent) in Saturday's final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the most reps Smith has played in any of the three games.

The fifth-round pick is expected to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and, according to NFL Media, which reported the news on Monday, his availability for the start of the season is somewhat questionable.

If the MRI shows anything — or even if it doesn't — Smith could begin his rookie year on the injured list, meaning he won't be counted toward the team's 53-man roster. This year, the rules were changed so two players can be placed on the injured list before the roster is finalized and return after missing at least four games.

During a routine physical at the NFL Scouting Combine in early March, doctors diagnosed Smith with a stress fracture, and the Eagles took it slow during spring OTAs.

After struggling for most of the summer, he came back late in training camp with a solid week of practice. He then had a great performance against the Vikings, catching six of his nine passes for 36 yards. That kind of performance is something that gets attention around the league, so if the Eagles had plans to potentially release him and put him on the practice squad, they probably scrapped them.

When interviewed after the game, Smith seemed in no rush to seek treatment.

With the signing of receiver Jahan Dotson from the Washington Commanders late last week, the Eagles now have at least three keepers at that position with AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dotson and probably Britain Covey as well.

That likely leaves only one job available unless the Eagles want to keep six receivers on the 53-man roster, which must be received by the league office by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Johnny Wilson, the Eagles' sixth-round pick, missed the final two weeks of training camp and the final two preseason games due to a concussion, so perhaps the Eagles could look to place him on the injured list as well, although given the news of Smith's injury, it's likely that Wilson's concussion has healed and he could be the fifth receiver.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Wilson was having a solid training camp until he suffered a concussion during the team's only joint practice of the summer on Aug. 13 against the Patriots.

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