Player Outlooks
DeVonta Smith Is Cleared — And Dallas Goedert's Absence Raises His Week 3 Ceiling
DeVonta Smith is off the injury report after a full Saturday practice, while Dallas Goedert and Hollywood Brown are out. Philadelphia's target tree is narrowing before Monday night in Chicago.
The Eagles got the injury update fantasy managers needed Saturday.
DeVonta Smith practiced fully and carries no game designation for Monday night's matchup with Chicago.
He is playing.
Just as importantly, Philadelphia will be without Dallas Goedert and Hollywood Brown.
That leaves Smith in an excellent position to command a larger share of Jalen Hurts' passing game.
The hamstring concern has eased
Smith missed Thursday's practice because of the hamstring issue before returning on a limited basis Friday.
A full Saturday practice is the best possible progression.
There is a major difference between a receiver entering Monday night questionable after limited work and one who finishes the week with a full practice and no designation.
Smith belongs in lineups.
Goedert's targets have to go somewhere
Goedert is out with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss multiple games.
Philadelphia brought Zach Ertz back this week, but expecting the 35-year-old tight end to immediately inherit a full Goedert workload after returning from an ACL injury would be aggressive.
The more important fantasy question is whether Philadelphia funnels more of the passing offense toward its established receivers.
Smith is the most obvious candidate.
Hollywood Brown being out matters too
Brown was ruled out with an ankle injury after landing on the report late in the week.
That removes another receiver from the rotation and further concentrates Philadelphia's available targets.
Dontayvion Wicks remains an interesting deeper flex option, but Smith is the player with the combination of talent, established role and health clearance fantasy managers should trust.
Saquon Barkley also carries no injury designation after dealing with a stinger, keeping the overall scoring environment intact.
Fantasy takeaway: Smith's injury concern has largely cleared at the same time Philadelphia lost Goedert and Brown. Start him confidently as a WR2 with WR1 upside.