NFL teams
Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Marcus Smith still trying to get on field

PHILADELPHIA -- It might be cynical to see Marcus Smith's move to inside linebacker and think, Oh, good, now that’s three positions he won’t play in Sunday’s game against Washington.

The Philadelphia Eagles' first-round draft choice from Louisville has practiced at the two outside linebacker positions all through organized team activities and training camp. With injuries to inside linebackers Mychal Kendricks and Najee Goode, the coaches had Smith taking reps on the inside this week.

"It's a numbers thing," coach Chip Kelly said. "I don't know where it will play out, but when you only have four inside linebackers in your 53 and one of them is hurt, we have to bring someone over. So we brought Marcus over from outside linebacker and see how he fits and what he can do. Obviously, you've got to be prepared if you lose a guy or two at inside linebacker."

Smith dressed but did not play in the Eagles’ opener against Jacksonville. On Monday night, he was inactive for the Eagles’ game in Indianapolis.

"It was kind of hard on me," Smith said. "I [have] never really not played in a game before. I definitely wanted to be out there with my teammates. Also, at the same time, you have to be on the sideline and cheer on your teammates. They had a great victory."

Around the NFL, a handful of first-round picks haven’t played a game yet. But one of them, Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants, is injured. The other two are quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Teddy Bridgewater.

The Eagles took Smith because they believed he could develop into a good edge pass-rusher. And maybe he will. But the Eagles have gotten exactly one sack from their outside linebackers in two games. That was by Trent Cole.

Meanwhile, safety Deone Bucannon, taken one pck after Smith, has 10 tackles in two games. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, selected a pick later, has eight catches for 138 yards for Carolina.

There is a long way to go to judge any of their careers. But it’s hard to get a read on Smith when he hasn’t played. It’s also tough for Smith to get better from the sideline.

"It's always a challenge to grow when you're not getting game reps," defensive coordinator Bill Davis said. "It's harder to do that. But in practice, that's part of the NFL. That's the hard part of taking somebody's job that already has one. You have to be great in practice, and you have to show that you really are making progress. Then you're fighting for game-day reps. When you get game-day reps, you have to make the most of them."

The move inside could get Smith some playing time, at least. He said he felt pretty comfortable there after just a couple days of practice.

"I’ve been through it before, changing positions," Smith said. "It’s really nothing new to me. I’ll do anything for the team. I look at it as an opportunity. They want to throw me in there, want me to cover bigger tight ends and cover backs. I look at it as an opportunity to get on the field."

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