ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles are planning to shut down outside linebacker Nolan Smith, who is dealing with a strained triceps, effectively landing him on injured reserve. 

The shutdown will last through their November 2nd bye week, and lead up to a return on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers on November 10th.

The tricep injury is nothing new for the third year pro. He underwent surgery after Super Bowl 57 to have his tricep repaired, the same one that he strained earlier.

Smith has been a cog in Philadelphia’s defensive starting lineup, and just last season, had a career year, compiling 6.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, 11 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.

It seemed like Smith was well on his way to having another successful season, where he’s registered 10 total tackles already in three games.

Coming off the edge now will be a full committee. The Eagles recently signed veteran Za’Darius Smith, and will also have Jalyx Hunt – who the Eagles were expecting a lot out of this season.

For the Eagles, there was no better time to sign Za’Darius Smith, who is a three time Pro Bowler and spent time on five separate times before arriving to the City of Brotherly Love.

Hunt, on the other hand has had a relatively quiet start to his season, with only five total tackles one one solo. He was a promising prospect who earned everything that was given to him, being the only FCS player to get an invite to the Senior Bowl, while playing for Houston Christian.

The Eagles then drafted him in the third round, 94th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now with a key player in Smith gone for a little over a month, it’ll be on Hunt to regain some of his swagger. Not only that, it gives him the opportunity to learn from one of the more reliable edge rushers in the game in the 11-year veteran Smith.

Philadelphia has done a fine job at weathering the storm so far this season, with a 3-0 start, but the road to repeating another Super Bowl just got a little more difficult.