Eagles LB Za’Darius Smith Sends Honest Message on How He Feels After 3 Games
the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t exactly been winning pretty, but they are still 4-0, making them one of only two undefeated teams alongside the Buffalo Bills. It’s clear, though, that the Eagles aren’t firing on all cylinders just yet, and one guy who the team would like to get going is veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith.
“These first few games have been like training camp for me, but I’m getting there and ready to make an impact.”
After earning a tight victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, Philadelphia signed Smith in the hopes that he could bolster their pass rush. Through three games, though, he’s been fairly quiet, and when asked about his performance, the three-time Pro Bowler admitted that he is still working on getting himself into football shape.
Za’Darius Smith Still Shaking Off the Rust for the Eagles
After a productive nine-sack campaign in 2025 with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, Smith spent the offseason on the free agent market waiting for the right opportunity to present itself to him. That came when the Eagles gave him a call, as he quickly latched on with the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 2.
In three games, Smith has largely been eased back into the action, racking up just six tackles and 0.5 sacks to this point. His snap count increased quite drastically in the team’s Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it didn’t necessarily result in an uptick in production from him, which was a bit surprising.
Considering how he turned 33 years old last month, Smith is going to need some time to get going, even if he’s already seeing his role increase with the Eagles. When discussing his quiet start to his tenure with Philadelphia, Smith admitted that the first three games of the season have been more like training camp for him.
“It’s just getting back in football shape,” Smith admitted on Thursday. “These last three games been more like a training camp for me, just learning the defense and just getting back into football shape.”
Eagles Looking to Remain Perfect by Earning Fifth-Straight Win in Week 5
History has shown that Smith will figure things out, and once he does, he could end up reestablishing himself as one of the top pass rushers on the team. Considering how the team is already dealing with injuries to guys like Nolan Smith Jr., Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Nakobe Dean in their defensive front, getting Smith going is crucial, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his snap counts continue to increase on a weekly basis.
Smith will have a great opportunity to make a big impact for the Eagles against a tough Denver Broncos team in Week 5. With Bo Nix under center, the Broncos haven’t been great against the top teams in the league, which means this could be the perfect opportunity for Smith to wreak havoc on the second-year passer. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, and if Smith can put together a big game, Philly will likely remain undefeated.
Vikings Trade Pitch Adds Versatile $14 Million Former 1st-Round Pick
The Minnesota Vikings have encountered a serious bout with the injury bug, and a trade to acquire help in the form of New Orleans Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning could be a fitting solution.
Penning was the No. 19 overall pick of the 2022 draft, and he has spent his entire career with the Saints.
However, he could be due for a change of scenery, and the Vikings could be a fit.
Vikings Urged to Trade for Saints OL Trevor Penning
“It hasn’t worked out in New Orleans for Penning, the 2022 first-round pick who has struggled to find a starting position,” Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame Gilberto Manzano wrote on October 1, listing Penning as a move the Vikings “should make before the deadline.”
Vikings get:
- Trevor Penning
Saints get:
- 2027 sixth-round draft pick
“On the bright side, Penning offers versatility as a lineman with starting experience playing tackle and guard,” Manzano and Verderame wrote.
“The Vikings need all the help they can get. Not only has the offensive line disappointed, but three of the five starters are currently dealing with injuries. It’s usually a red flag when teams are willing to shop an offensive lineman because the good ones are rarely available. But it never hurts to add versatility and depth to a critical area.”
The Vikings do not own a sixth-round pick in 2026.
They own picks in the fifth and seventh rounds in that class, and could attempt to substitute either one for the sixth-rounder in a potential trade for Penning.
Trevor Penning Could Help Injury-Riddled OL
Penning is in the final year of his four-year, $14.1 million contract, and he will be a free agent next offseason. Still, the Vikings are so depleted up front due to various injuries that adding a player with his pedigree and versatility in a trade could be appealing.
Vikings starters, center Ryan Kelly, left guard Donovan Jackson, and right tackle Brian O’Neill are all sidelined heading into Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns in London.
Reserve lineman Walter Rouse is on injured reserve with Jackson.
The 6-foot-7, 325-pound offensive lineman was drafted as a tackle, and he has experience on both sides. However, he has since moved to guard. The only position Penning has not played, at least at the NFL level, is center.
OL Called ‘Biggest Need’ for Vikings
The Vikings’ offensive line woes are so dire that NFL.com’s Kevin Patra suggested they seek “depth” before the trade deadline.
“A week ago, I might have said corner was the Vikings’ biggest need, but a rash of injuries put a hole in their best-laid plans to solidify the O-line this offseason,” Patra wrote on October 1. “Brian O’Neill’s MCL sprain is a killer, as they experienced on Sunday versus Pittsburgh, when Carson Wentz was sacked six times, while Ryan Kelly and Donovan Jackson are also banged up. If Minnesota doesn’t secure better protection, it won’t matter who is under center.”
Notably, Wentz is also playing in place of an injured starter, J.J. McCarthy.
Final #MINvsCLE injury report
OUT: Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Michael Jurgens, J.J. McCarthy, Brian O'Neill and Andrew Van Ginkel
QUESTIONABLE: Tyler Batty*, C.J. Ham* and Ben Yurosek
*Returned to practice and currently within 21-day practice window pic.twitter.com/4yTyK4vkB0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 3, 2025
The Vikings will go on their bye week after facing the Browns. That could give them time to get as healthy as possible and assess their roster. It could even allow the Vikings to consider a trade for someone like Penning.
