PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles will miss top wide receiver DeVonta Smith and All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams after both players were declared out Friday.
Smith has a hamstring injury. Baun suffered a concussion and remains in the concussion protocol. They did not practice this week. Their absences leave the Eagles without two of their best players in a high-profile matchup following the Eagles' 27-7 loss to the Chicago Bears on "Monday Night Football." The Eagles will also miss starting safety Marcus Epps, who was ruled out with a groin injury. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), reserve tackle Fred Johnson (knee) and wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle) remain sidelined for the second consecutive game.
Smith missed three weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury. He also missed practice time ahead of the Bears game with a hamstring injury, and he has not been seen at practices this week. If Smith's injury keeps him out beyond Sunday, the Eagles would also be without the sixth-year receiver against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London next week. Smith leads all Eagles receivers with 19 receptions and 235 yards.
Dontayvion Wicks becomes the No. 1 receiver in Smith's absence -- a role Wicks said he is prepared to fill.
"Being me, the player I am, I already have that confidence," Wicks said.
The Eagles also have first-round pick Makai Lemon as a starting wideout. Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore and Britain Covey round out the receiver group.
Without Baun, third-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will step in next to Jihaad Campbell in the starting lineup. Trotter will probably wear the green dot as the defense's signal caller. Trotter has played 198 defensive snaps in his career, but he had a strong summer and knows the defense.
Trotter and Campbell started together once before in the 2025 regular-season finale. They have logged 67 snaps together across five games. Trotter replaced Baun on the final six plays against the Bears. They also totaled 15 snaps together in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
"Trot is very instinctive," Campbell said Thursday. "He's very quick. He knows how to dissect the offense. He communicates very well. He gets off of blocks very well. He gets to the ball very well. Everything that he does is good, man. Trot is a great player, great linebacker."
Michael Carter II will probably replace Epps as a starting safety. Kenny Moore II, whom the Eagles signed last week, could also be an option.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
