Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith missed Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a concussion. The Eagles were unable to move the ball efficiently without one of Jalen Hurts’ favorite targets against the Buccaneers and are hoping that Smith will return in Week 6.
Will DeVonta Smith Be Active in Week 6?
According to James Palmer of Bleacher Report, the Eagles are expecting DeVonta Smith to return to action against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Smith suffered a concussion on a controversial hit in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.
Praying for DeVonta Smith🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼#PHIvsNO #Saints #FlyEaglesFly
— The Sammooo! Show (@TheSammoooShow5) September 22, 2024
While the Eagles were ultimately able to overcome Smith’s absence in New Orleans, they were unable to get things going in Tampa, Fla., last week. Given the absences of both Smith and A.J. Brown, Philadelphia’s offense was significantly limited as Hurts struggled mightily.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
Luckily for the Eagles, the average number of days for a player to clear the return-to-participation protocol is nine days. Therefore, Smith should be ready to return following two consecutive weeks off thanks to a much-needed bye week as well.
Now the Eagles will look to have both Smith and Brown on the field together for the first time this season since Week 1. If both players can return to action in Week 6, Philadelphia’s offense should take a significant step forward against the Browns.
Smith’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Once Smith returns to action, he remains a rock-solid WR2 option with WR1 potential in fantasy football. While many might be concerned about Brown’s return as well, Smith finished as the 18th-highest-scoring wide receiver for full-PPR scoring leagues in Week 1.
If both wide receivers return in Week 6 for the Eagles, they should each have strong performances against Cleveland’s disappointing defense. While Smith’s role might change given Brown’s return, he should be able to replicate his strong performance from Philadelphia’s regular season opener.
In Week 1, Smith played a career-high 70.7% of his snaps in the slot, hauling in seven receptions on eight targets for 84 yards. During Brown’s absence in Weeks 2 and 3, Smith played over 60% of his total snaps at outside WR.
Regardless of where Smith lines up, he has remained a reliable fantasy football option this season. Through the first three weeks of the regular season, Smith had the eighth-most fantasy points among all wide receivers in full-PPR scoring leagues.