8.9.2007
L.J. Smith Carted off Practice Field
L.J. Smith, who underwent sports hernia surgery in late May, aggravated the injury yesterday morning at practice and although nobody is commenting on how serious the injury is, it didn’t look good when Smith was carted off the Lehigh practice fields at about 9:30 a.m.
Smith, who has scored 26 touchdowns in four seasons, was running a routine non-contact drill and had just caught a pass from A.J. Feeley down the middle of the field with linebacker Chris Gocong a step back when he crumpled to the ground at the 25-yard-line. Gocong immediately signalled for the trainers and Smith stayed on the ground until being helped off the field.
“There was no contact at all,” Gocong said. “He was in pain. It’s a shame. He looked great up till that point.”
Smith was taken to the trainer’s tent for an initial exam and then carted back to the Varsity House. Head coach Andy Reid said he didn’t know how serious the injury was.
“He tweaked it,” Reid said. “We’ll see.”
The injury could be a huge blow not only to the Eagles’ offense but to Smith, who is in his contract year and due to become a free ageny this offseason.
Smith underwent sports hernia surgery on May 31 and had just returned to practice a few days ago. He said on Wednesday he was experiencing some soreness but was overall optimistic about his rehab.
Donovan McNabb, who underwent sports hernia surgery late in the 2005 season, said he wasn’t shocked that Smith experienced a setback.
“The doctor would always tell me, ‘Don’t be shocked if you have a setback,’” McNabb said. “You just have to go slow. Some days it feels like everything is healed, but it’s really not. You have to be patient. It’ll get better with time. Patience is everything.”
With Smith on the shelf indefinitely, Matt Schobel and rookie Brent Celek are the top two tight ends in the offensive rotation. Schobel had an uneven first year with the Eagles last year. Celek is a good blocker and a promising receiver but is very inexperienced.
The Eagles open the preseason on Monday with a 7 p.m. game against the Ravens at M&T Stadium in Baltimore. Opening day in Green Bay is just 31 days away.
“Hopefully, it’s just a minor setback,” Schobel said. “He’s a special player and we’re all going to have to pitch in to make sure things keep running smoothly. Going into the season, we knew there was a possibility we would have to get in there (with the first team), so we feel like we’re prepared. But hopefully he’s back out here soon.”
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