Should I Start DeVonta Smith?

Thursday, October 15, 2:31 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) returned to practice on Thursday and was listed as a limited participant. It was the first time that Smith has practiced with the team since injuring his hamstring in a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The 27-year-old is not out of the woods yet, but it is a good sign that he is progressing and gives him a chance to end his two-game absence and play this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. The problem for Smith is that if he returns to face Carolina this weekend, he will be working with backup quarterback Tanner McKee after the Eagles ruled Jalen Hurts (calf) out due to a superficial blood clot. Hurts is out indefinitely and could miss time beyond this week, which would obviously do damage to Smith's fantasy value. Smith has only 19 catches for 235 yards and one touchdown in three games played in 2026, but he is averaging 13.0 half-PPR fantasy points per game, which makes him a top-20 fantasy wideout. Fantasy managers should be tempering their expectations for the former first-rounder for however long Hurts is sidelined.