Philadelphia Eagles standout receiver DeVonta Smith exited Sunday’s 15-12 victory over New Orleans after sustaining a concussion via a vicious hit from Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd.
Smith caught a short pass and his forward progress was stopped. He was being driven backward by two players before Boyd came from behind and blindsided Smith with a helmet-to-helmet hit with 13:45 remaining in the game.
Smith lay prone on the ground for several minutes as his teammates and coaches gathered around. He was eventually able to walk off the field and went to the medical tent for evaluation before later heading to the locker room.
“DeVonta puts his body on the line and I hope he is OK,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said.
Boyd said via his Instagram account that he didn’t have ill intentions when he delivered the hit on Smith (No. 6).
“I would never deliberately try to give someone a serious injury,” Boyd said. “Just tried to make a play on the ball. Get well 6.”
Smith caught seven passes for 79 yards before exiting. He has 21 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown in three games this season.
“Prayers out to Smitty and I am glad we found a way to win in his home state,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said of the Amite City native.
Philadelphia also lost star right tackle Lane Johnson to a concussion in the first half. Right guard Mekhi Becton (finger) and returner/receiver Britain Covey (shoulder) also departed with injuries.
Play got more testy after Smith’s injury as tensions were high.
One play saw Eagles cornerback Darius Slay leave with a lower-body injury after Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning grabbed him in the field of play, pushed him way out of bounds and eventually sent him flying into a bench on the sideline.
