Eagles' pass rush depth takes hit as Smith retires

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles seasoned borderline rusher Za'Darius Smith announced his status connected societal media Monday.

Smith informed the squad of his determination Monday morning, a league root said, marking a abrupt departure for a productive subordinate astatine a presumption of request for Philadelphia.

"I knew this time would travel -- but present that it's here, l'm feeling truthful galore emotions I ne'er expected," helium wrote connected Instagram.

"Who would've thought that a kid from Greenville, AL, with conscionable 1 twelvemonth of precocious schoolhouse shot experience, would spell connected to play nonrecreational shot successful the NFL for 11 unthinkable years!... As I measurement into the newest play of my life, delight cognize this crippled has meant the satellite to me. The lessons learned connected and disconnected the tract volition enactment with maine forever."

The Eagles came into the play with question marks astatine borderline rusher pursuing the departures of Brandon Graham (retirement) and Josh Sweat (free agency). The presumption took a further deed erstwhile Nolan Smith Jr. was placed connected injured reserve successful precocious September with a triceps injury. Ogbo Okoronkwo was besides placed connected IR with a triceps wounded aft their Week 4 crippled against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Philadelphia signed Za'Darius Smith pursuing its Week 1 triumph implicit the Dallas Cowboys. He made an instant impact, posting 1.5 sacks, 3 QB hits and 2 tackles for nonaccomplishment implicit 5 games.

He finishes his vocation with 70.5 sacks, 176 QB hits and 87 tackles for nonaccomplishment successful 145 games for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Eagles.

Nolan Smith is expected backmost aft the Eagles' Week 9 bye. Two seasoned players they signed to one-year contracts this offseason, Read Entire Article