DeVonta Smith Out as Eagles Host Giants

DeVonta Smith is out for the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 9 home game against the New York Giants with a hamstring injury, the Eagles and NFL.com confirmed Friday. Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) is also out for a third straight game. The Giants visit Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Smith has now missed five of the last six games with the hamstring. Neither he nor Wicks practiced all week. Joe Milton is lined up for his first NFL start, and last week Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper opened at receiver against Washington. Saquon Barkley (hamstring/back) was limited Friday but is good to go against his former team.

Fifth Miss in Six Weeks

Friday's injury report made the call official. Smith out. Wicks out. Britain Covey (knee) out again as the top punt returner. On defense, Jihaad Campbell (hamstring/quad), Michael Carter II (abdomen), and Jonathan Jones (hamstring) are also out. Tanner McKee (rib) is the one questionable after a limited Friday.

That leaves Milton throwing without the two receivers who have been unavailable all week. Lemon and Cooper are the next names up outside, and Dallas Goedert was a full participant Friday after managing a knee earlier in the week.

Barkley Active, Giants Thin at RB

Barkley's limited Friday still ends with a clear to play. That keeps Philadelphia's run game intact for a divisional home date. Across the ball, Giants running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring) is doubtful after a limited Friday and two earlier DNPs. Malik Nabers is expected to play after dealing with a knee midweek.

Giants at Eagles without Smith and Wicks is a different Philly pass game than the one that opened the year. Milton's first start already changes the timing. Removing both outside options stacks even more of the early script on Barkley, Goedert, and whoever wins the Lemon-Cooper snaps.

Linc Without the WR1

Sunday is still home for Philadelphia and still a divisional game. Smith's multi-week absence is baked into the plan now. The question is how clean Milton's first 15 looks when the two featured receivers are already ruled out and Barkley is the safest touch on the sheet.

Smacktok pick lean: Lean higher on Saquon Barkley rush and receptions with Smith and Wicks already ruled out. Lean Dallas Goedert receptions as the cleanest pass-catcher play if Milton leans intermediate. If Barkley is a late scratch despite the clear, do not force the backfield play.

Smith out, Wicks out, Barkley good, Milton starting. That is the Eagles' Week 9 board.