The Philadelphia Eagles will face some tough decisions depending on how their Week 7 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys goes.
They already have issues entering the Cowboys game, with multiple players ruled out. The biggest name on Philly's final injury report is wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who is out with a hamstring injury.
That hamstring injury has affected Smith's 2026 season so far, as it will be the third game he's missed. A lingering question is growing louder as the team sits at 2-4.
Nick Sirianni address Eagles potentially shutting down DeVonta Smith for 2026 season
Some are starting to wonder if Smith needs to be shut down for the 2026 season so that his hamstring injury can heal properly. The idea is that the Eagles won't be competitive this year after a bad start, so why not let him rest and get him ready for 2027?
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked on Saturday whether that was actually being considered. Sirianni was vague in his response.
"We'll see where that goes. He works extremely hard. Sometimes the process doesn't always produce the results that you want."
This season, despite missing two of the six games in 2026, Smith still leads the team in targets (41), receptions (26), and yards (310). He also has two touchdowns and is averaging 77.5 yards per game.
Should the Eagles end DeVonta Smith's season if they lose in Week 7?
It's a loaded question that will depend on how the next few weeks go for the Eagles. So many factors could affect Philly's decision on Smith.
One, how they play the Cowboys could play a major role. A win against Dallas would put them in sole possession of second place in the NFC East, behind the New York Giants. Losing to the Cowboys, though, and the Eagles would put them closer to being eliminated from playoff contention by late November.
Shutting down Smith could send the Eagles the wrong message, with more than half the season still ahead. If they do it too early, it would signal they have given up on the season,n with Jalen Hurts also done for the year with his blood clot injury.
The good news is that the Eagles can play their younger players to see how good they are. Guys like Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, and Darius Cooper could use more regular-season reps to see if Philly has something in them in 2027 and beyond.
Read more: If Makai Lemon is going to have a breakout performance, the Eagles need it now
Smith is an important piece of this Eagles team and needs to be available and healthy. If he keeps getting ruled out of games, it might be better to shut him down and let his hamstring heal. How they play the Cowboys could make Philly's decision easier, so the fan base hopes a win keeps their season alive and gets Smith back on the field. Otherwise, it could be over for him in 2026.
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