The Eagles are too talented for Steve Smith to be frustrated by his lack of playing time.
Smith over the last three games has seen his playing time decrease drastically. According to ProFootballFocus.com, Smith played four snaps against the Bills and eight against the Redskins. He didnt play in last Sunday nights win over Cowboys.
The previous three weeksagainst the Falcons, Giants and 49ershe played 19, 14 and 10 snaps.
I wanted to back off just a bit on him, and not that he wasnt doing well, coach Andy Reid said Saturday. You see that with a guy coming back like that, that exhausts himself to get himself back. Youre sitting here at the middle of the season, so you step back, and then he went out and had a great week of practice this week. Its really the second week into cutting it back just a bit on him. But it sure looked like he was, this week I thought he had that zip that hes always had there.
Smith, who recovered from microfracture surgery in time to be ready for the season opener at St. Louis, wouldnt describe himself as exhausted. He hasnt played much recently, and he didnt do much during camp except rehab his knee.
I dont know how I could be exhausted, Smith said.
I wasnt on the field in camp. Youve got to get that field work. Thats the work that really matters.
NFL
What also matters is that Smith plays on the leagues most electrifying offense. Just two years removed from a season in which he piled up 107 receptions for 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns, he has five receptions this season for 63 yards. He has been credited with just one drop by Stats LLC (almost certainly the deflected interception against the Giants).
Smith believes he can play a bigger role if needed, but at the moment hes a talented luxury sitting behind Jeremy Maclin, DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant.
I feel like I can just play. Im not thinking. Im just playing, Smith said. If I was on any other offensewere like No. 1 with all these great playersId probably be playing more, but Im here with such a great team, so it is what it is.
It makes me feel better that I know Im here with so many great players. I feel like its a blessing in disguise. Maybe Im just getting healthy, getting all the way comfortable, and when my time comes, Ill be able to go.
E-mail Andy Schwartz at aschwartz@comcastsportsnet.com.
