In a shocking twist that’s got Eagles fans on the edge of their seats, star wide receiver DeVonta Smith is grappling with a double whammy of shoulder and chest injuries as Philadelphia gears up for their high-stakes Week 13 clash against the Chicago Bears on Black Friday. The explosive playmaker sat out Tuesday’s team walkthrough entirely, raising alarms about his availability for the prime-time showdown.
But Smith isn’t flying solo on the injury front—the Eagles’ report reads like a battlefield casualty list. Defensive end Brandon Graham (groin), right tackle Lane Johnson (foot), safety Andrew Mukuba (ankle), and wide receiver Xavier Gipson (shoulder) all joined him on the DNP (did not participate) roster. The hits keep coming: Johnson is sidelined with a painful Lisfranc injury, and Mukuba’s fractured ankle means both are staring down extended absences, leaving massive voids in the lineup.
Adding to the drama, powerhouse running back Saquon Barkley unexpectedly landed on the report with a nagging groin issue, logging just limited participation in the walkthrough. He’s no stranger to this ailment—Barkley battled a similar groin tweak back in Week 8 against the New York Giants—but the resilient rusher hasn’t missed a single snap this 2025 season. Teammates safety Reed Blankenship (thigh) and left guard Landon Dickerson (knee) also dialed it back to limited status.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio offered a glimmer of hope, confidently stating he expects Blankenship to suit up against the Bears. The safety picked up his thigh injury during Philly’s gut-wrenching 24-21 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys, but it seems he’s on the mend. As for Dickerson, the tough lineman has been fighting through bumps and bruises all year, still recovering from preseason meniscus surgery that hasn’t slowed his warrior spirit.
On a brighter note, a few Eagles are powering through: Offensive tackle Myles Hinton (back), cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (undergoing gameday concussion protocol evaluation), and guard/center Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle) all crushed it as full participants in Tuesday’s session.
With the Black Friday lights shining bright, the Eagles are navigating this injury storm, hoping their depth and grit can turn the tide against Chicago. Will Smith and the squad rise above the pain, or will these setbacks clip their wings? Stay tuned—Philly’s resilience is about to be tested like never before!