Marcus Smith expected to miss multiple weeks after hamstring injury

“It’s not as bad as I thought it was”, said Smith, who suffered the injury in kickoff coverage. “I’m trying to get back out there for the last preseason game. So I think Vinny and Trent are probably a closer comparison, and I think Vinny’s really been in the system so the words make sense to him where that first year all the words were new to everybody”. “It’s just unfortunate it happened”.

They’ve been forced to change their plans and playing rotations a dizzying amount of times just since training camp opened less than three weeks ago.

Cross Earl Wolff off the list of candidates. Travis and Jones were powerful options for that No. 3 linebacker work.

Back to Smith, who walked without a limp Friday but says there’s a knot in the hamstring.

“I don’t think it sets me back at all”, he said.

Usual 3-4 defensive end Vinny Curry is now getting reps at outside linebacker.

“I’m glad it wasn’t anything major, but it’s still something that keeps him out”, Davis said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’m excited and Vinny’s excited about seeing him out there”.

“We worked in the offseason, slowly leaked him in. Three weeks is probably the most”, said Smith, per Berman. In the game we’ll give him some. So Vinny’s excited. I ” m excited about seeing Vinny out there in that role”.

With Smith out, special teams ace Bryan Braman now is the third outside linebacker behind Graham and Connor. Vinny Curry was in for just eight (10%) snaps, but only as a down lineman.

The top three at that position – Kiko Alonso (concussion), DeMeco Ryans (Achilles) and Mychal Kendricks (mystery ailment) – all sat out the first game, and there’s no guarantee they play on Saturday night. It’s possible both sit this game out. And when you have to make the calls, then you move to a position of listening, you have a much better understanding of why and what is about to be called. “The third linebacker job, that’s still my goal”.

Reynolds picked off two passes in the preseason opener. We’ll accelerate Vinny’s move out there now because of the depth.

Unstoppable is certainly a confident way to put it, but there is no denying Smith looked like an improved player against the Colts. “Excited about Ed but he’s still in the middle of the competition with all the guys”.

“It’s disappointing because he really was taking some growth steps and coming along and now he’s got a setback”, Davis said. “That’s all it is, is a setback”.

Wide receiver Miles Austin didn’t participate in Friday’s walkthrough practice, which would indicate that he’s doubtful for the game Saturday.

The Eagles and Ravens have been working out together for the past three days.

Don’t expect Barwin and Graham to see a ton more action out there Saturday night, which means at least 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps at one OLB spot will need to be accounted for.

Good guy that Harbaugh is, he thanked the Eagles owners before hitting the road home.

“I’ll definitely out be out in Week 1”, Smith said. “It was first class all the way”.