Update (4:07 a.m. ET, Saturday): DeVonta Smith is officially out for the Philadelphia Eagles’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Eagles ruled out their top receiver Friday with a hamstring injury, marking his second straight missed game, according to ESPN.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars meet Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, part of the NFL’s International Series slate for Week 5. Jacksonville enters at 3-1 and riding a two-game winning streak, while Philadelphia arrives at 2-2 after dropping back-to-back games and reshuffling its offensive line just days before kickoff. Smith’s absence adds another hole to an Eagles offense already missing running back Saquon Barkley, who was also ruled out with a hamstring injury and will miss his first start of the season.
The Eagles traded center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens for future draft capital this week, according to Yahoo Sports. Jurgens, a two-time Pro Bowler and second-round pick in 2022, made 45 starts for Philadelphia. The move came days after longtime right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, meaning three starting offensive line spots will look different from Week 1.
Eagles Vs Jaguars Game Information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
- Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
- TV: NFL Network
- Stage: NFL London Games, second of three London games in Week 5 of the International Series
By The Numbers
- Record: Eagles 2-2, Jaguars 3-1
- Points per game: Eagles 18.8, Jaguars 26.0
- Passing yards per game: Eagles 178.3, Jaguars 210.8
- Rushing yards per game: Eagles 109.0, Jaguars 117.3
- Third-down conversion rate: Eagles 35.85%, Jaguars 51.11%
- Red zone scoring rate: Eagles 76.92%, Jaguars 100.00%
- Turnover differential: Eagles minus-3, Jaguars plus-6
- Sacks allowed per game: Eagles 3.0, Jaguars 2.0
- Defensive sacks: Eagles 4 total, Jaguars 10 total
Jacksonville’s turnover differential of plus-6 stands out against Philadelphia’s minus-3 mark through four games, a gap of nine turnovers that has shaped each team’s record.
Eagles Outlook
Philadelphia has lost two straight, falling 27-7 to the Chicago Bears and 24-20 to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4 after squandering a 10-point lead in the final four minutes. The Eagles set a franchise record with 12 third-down failures in that loss, a number that lines up with their season-long 35.85% third-down rate.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has completed 68 of 114 passes for 713 yards with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season. With Barkley and Smith now both ruled out, Philadelphia’s top healthy pass-catcher statistically remains Dontayvion Wicks, who has 12 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown. Smith finishes the stretch before his absence with 19 catches on 27 targets for 235 yards and a touchdown, the production the Eagles now must replace for a second straight week, according to FOX Sports.
Philadelphia’s injury list extends well beyond its offense. Center Drew Kendall was ruled out Friday with a knee injury, pushing rookie Markel Bell and second-year guard Willie Lampkin into starting roles at right tackle and guard. Safety Marcus Epps (groin) and receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle) have also been ruled out, while edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (ankle) is questionable after not practicing this week. Tight end Dallas Goedert is set to return from the knee injury he suffered in Week 2, and linebacker Zack Baun has cleared the concussion protocol and is expected to play.
Head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the challenge of replacing Johnson along the offensive line. “We all have all the faith in the world because that’s just who he is, man,” Sirianni said of the lineman stepping into Johnson’s spot. “People have doubted him his whole career, whether that be JUCO, college or even now. … He’s got a tremendous task.
That’s calling it how it is. Lane Johnson is one of one. What he’s done with his career, don’t know if it will ever be repeated again.”
Jaguars Outlook
Jacksonville has won two straight, including a 22-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 in which quarterback Trevor Lawrence beat Joe Burrow for the first time in four career meetings. The Jaguars rank second in the league in scoring defense, allowing 13.3 points per game, and fifth in EPA per pass, numbers that support their plus-6 turnover differential.
Lawrence has completed 72 of 104 passes for 843 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Bhayshul Tuten leads the run game with 277 yards and 2 touchdowns on 60 carries, while Parker Washington paces the receiving corps with 16 catches for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Head coach Liam Coen’s defense also deals with its own injury concerns, including safety Eric Murray, who is doubtful with a concussion. Cornerback Christian Braswell, safety Caleb Ransaw and defensive end B.J. Green II remain on injured reserve, with Green projected to return Oct. 18. This marks the first of two consecutive games in England for Jacksonville.
Key Matchup
Philadelphia’s rebuilt offensive line against Jacksonville’s pass rush, which has already produced 10 sacks as a team, looms as the game’s central battle now that the Eagles are also missing their top two offensive skill players. With Markel Bell and Willie Lampkin stepping into new starting roles and Drew Kendall sidelined, the Eagles’ protection faces a defense built to generate takeaways, already with 8 giveaways forced on the season.
Without Smith and Barkley, Hurts will need more from Wicks and the rest of a thinned receiving corps to move the ball against a Jaguars defense ranked second in scoring. Philadelphia’s offense has allowed 12 sacks and already ranks near the bottom of the league in third-down conversions, a number that could worsen behind a line making multiple changes on the road.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
Hurts has thrown 7 touchdowns against 3 interceptions this season and now must operate without his top receiver and lead back behind a line in transition after losing both Jurgens and Johnson within the same week.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
Lawrence has completed 69.2% of his passes for 843 yards this season and is coming off a win over Burrow and the Bengals, his first in four head-to-head meetings.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Eagles
Wicks leads Philadelphia’s healthy receivers with 12 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown and becomes a more prominent target with both Smith and Brown unavailable.
What To Watch
Philadelphia’s offensive overhaul now includes its passing and backfield options as well as its offensive line. With Smith and Barkley both ruled out, the Eagles’ Week 5 trip to London tests a lineup reshaped by trades, a retirement and a growing injury list against a Jacksonville defense that ranks second in scoring and fifth in EPA per pass.
For the Jaguars, the London trip marks the first of two straight games in England, and Jacksonville will try to stretch its winning streak to three while managing its own questionable and injured reserve designations on both lines of scrimmage.
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