Sirianni praised the depth of the rotation at the edge rusher position to absorb the snaps in Huff’s absence.
“We feel good about the depth that we have here and some of the young guys. Nolan’s (Smith) done a really good job and Jalyx (Hunt), we’ll see where he is as we continue on here. Jalyx keeps getting better as a football player,” Sirianni said. “(Josh) Sweat’s had some really good games and been playing at a top-notch level. BG (Brandon Graham) is continuing to be steady throughout like he has his entire career.”
Signed by the Eagles in free agency, Huff has played 37 percent of the snaps in his first season with the team. Sweat leads the way with 62 percent of the snaps played, followed by Graham in his 15th season with 46 percent. Smith, in his second NFL season, has been on the field for 42 percent of the defensive snaps. Hunt, the team’s third-round pick, played a career-high 25 snaps in the win over Dallas, but has just 42 defensive snaps to date.
“We drafted Jalyx because we liked his skill set. Jalyx has been doing a lot of good things on special teams. We’ll see how those reps get divvied up. This week will tell a lot in practice,” Sirianni said.
Smith has come on strong since the bye week. He’s started four games and registered 3.5 sacks.
“Man, what a guy that’s been able to handle the ups and downs, not getting a lot of reps early on in his career because of the depth we had at that position to now really being a big-time contributor,” Sirianni said. “Patience, patience of everybody, hey, it takes time. It takes time if you got the right people, like Nolan is. Nolan deeply cares about being good at football. Nolan loves football. Nolan is as tough as we got. He’s one of the toughest guys on this football team. He plays as hard as anybody in the National Football League and he’s got great skill.
“When you have those characteristics as a person, God-willing, you’ll reach your ceiling. He just keeps getting better because of the skill that he has and who he is as a person. We want things to happen right away at all times. I’m guilty of that. We all are. Development and getting better every day is a process and it takes time. What you’ve seen is just him putting his head down, working every day, regardless of what the circumstances are and you’ve seen him get better and now he’s contributing big-time to our success.”
Post-Practice Update: Jalyx Hunt also misses practice
With Bryce Huff out for the foreseeable future after his wrist procedure, one of the players who could pick up the slack in his absence – rookie outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt – is also on the mend as he missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who has been battling a hamstring injury, missed Wednesday’s practice. In each of the previous two weeks, Smith missed the first practice of the week and increased his participation as the game inched closer.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams was also sidelined on Wednesday with a foot injury.
Two key starters – linebacker Nakobe Dean (groin) and quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) – were limited.
In his first practice since Week 3, wide receiver Britain Covey, who had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, was a full participant. Covey is eligible to come off Injured Reserve from his shoulder injury. The Eagles would need to make a corresponding roster move in order to activate Covey.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
• DE Bryce Huff (Wrist)
• OLB Jalyx Hunt (Ankle)
• WR DeVonta Smith (Hamstring)
• DT Milton Williams (Foot)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
• LB Nakobe Dean (Groin)
• QB Jalen Hurts (Ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION
• WR Britain Covey (Shoulder)
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