In a stunning turn of events that’s sure to electrify Eagles fans across the nation, Philadelphia’s star wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been cleared to play in the crucial Week 13 Black Friday showdown against the Chicago Bears. After initial reports sparked widespread concern over injuries sustained in a tough Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the latest updates confirm that the $75 million WR is off the injury report and ready to suit up.
The drama began when Smith suffered chest and shoulder injuries during a spectacular backflip 450 dive catch against the Cowboys, compounded by an illness that kept him sidelined from practice earlier in the week. Early whispers suggested he might miss the game, sending shockwaves through the Eagles’ fanbase and fantasy football leagues alike. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news on X: “Eagles WR DeVonta Smith is off the injury report and good to go Friday vs. the Bears.” Bleacher Report echoed the sentiment, noting, “DeVonta Smith will play vs. Bears after suffering chest and shoulder injuries from his backflip 450 dive catch. Smith is also dealing with an illness.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero also confirmed the positive development, with Pelissero adding that both Smith and running back Saquon Barkley are fully participating and good to go.
This bombshell update couldn’t come at a better time for the Eagles, who enter the matchup with an 8-3 record, tied with the Bears for playoff positioning. What was once viewed as a routine game has transformed into a high-stakes battle for NFC supremacy. Smith’s presence is a game-changer, especially given his steady performance amid the roller coaster that has been teammate A.J. Brown’s 2025 season.
Smith, the 2021 first-round pick out of Alabama, inked a lucrative 3-year, $75 million extension before the 2024 season, solidifying his role as half of what many call the NFL’s premier wide receiver duo alongside Brown. Despite Brown’s struggles this year—marking the worst season of his three-time All-Pro career—Smith has been a model of consistency, stepping up when the offense needed him most.
In the 2025 season, Smith has appeared in 11 games, hauling in 55 receptions for 754 yards and 3 touchdowns. His standout performance came in Week 7 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he notched a career-high 183 yards on 9 catches in a 28-22 victory. These numbers have silenced preseason doubters, including Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon, who labeled Smith the “Most Overpaid Player” on the Eagles’ roster heading into the year. Gagnon argued, “Smith is a very good player, but he’s a clear-cut No. 2 receiver who has averaged about 1,000 yards per season and never scored more than eight touchdowns in a campaign.” Yet, with an average annual value of $25 million ranking him 12th among wideouts, Smith’s production has proven his worth, potentially making him more valuable to Philly than Brown right now.
Smith’s resilience is nothing new. Nicknamed “The Slim Reaper” or “Skinny Batman” for his lanky 6-foot, 170-pound frame, he etched his name in NFL history after the 2024 season as one of only five players to win a Super Bowl, a college football national championship, and the Heisman Trophy. At Alabama, he secured two national titles, including a legendary game-winning 41-yard overtime touchdown catch as a freshman against Georgia in the 2018 CFP National Championship. He capped his collegiate career in 2020 with another championship and became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991.
Drafted No. 10 overall by the Eagles in 2021, Smith overcame injury setbacks in 2024—missing four games due to concussion and hamstring issues—to bounce back stronger in 2025. Even as the Eagles’ offense has lacked rhythm at times, Smith’s reliability has been a beacon.
Looking ahead, Smith’s Week 12 output against the Cowboys—6 catches for 89 yards and 14.9 fantasy points—sets the stage for a strong showing versus Chicago. Projections have him at 15.4 fantasy points, ranking him as WR14 for the week. With both teams vying for momentum in a tight NFC race, Smith’s return could be the spark Philadelphia needs to pull ahead.
This injury saga turned triumph is a reminder of the unpredictability of the NFL, but for Eagles faithful, it’s pure relief. As kickoff approaches on Black Friday, all eyes will be on The Slim Reaper to deliver another historic performance. Fly Eagles Fly!