The lone NFL preseason contest on Thursday night was more than just a low-scoring affair between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. The defending NFC champions ended up losing five of their own players to injuries — including one of their top 2023 draft picks and two who left with an even more scary moment at Lincoln Financial Field.
Which Eagles Players Left With Ailments?
The Eagles who sustained injuries were cornerback Zech McPhearson, edge rusher Nolan Smith, wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, WR Tyrie Cleveland and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo — the latter two needing a stretcher to be lifted and driven off the field.
McPhearson, who has been with the Eagles since 2021 as a fourth-round selection from Texas Tech, was the first to go down with an ankle injury. He was seen struggling putting weight on his right leg.
Next to leave was Smith, the Eagles’ prized selection at No. 30 overall in the NFL Draft. The cat-quick edge rusher left with a shoulder ailment. Before his injury, he was putting together a stellar evening including snuffing out this wide receiver reverse:
Anthony Schwartz is a former track star and ran a 4.25 40-yard dash.
And Nolan Smith chases him down on this WR reverse pic.twitter.com/shiGpr2gGx
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_)
He additionally got his way around the more towering and imposing Dawand Jones — all 6’8″, 375-pounds of him.
Nolan Smith vs Dawand Jones!!
Great hand fighting to clear Jones punches. Then transition into the dip/bend around to the corner. Nolan Smith is ridiculous lol. #FlyEaglesFly #Browns pic.twitter.com/mFJMTm86Le
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL)
However, he ended up injuring himself on this pursuit of Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second quarter.
Eagles rookie Nolan Smith (#3) keeps popping off the screen with his freakish athleticism… blows up this reverse with ease.
Unfortunately, the first-round pick out of Georgia was hurt on this play. He had looked awesome tonight prior to injury. pic.twitter.com/5dSVz44uFj
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven)
Zaccheaus was the next to leave. And like Smith, left with an injured shoulder.
Cleveland again sustained the biggest scare. As he was turning his body to make the catch attempt in the third quarter, he landed awkwardly and injured his head and neck. Players and coaches from both sides immediately surrounded him for support and prayers.
Ojomo was another who had to leave via stretcher. He dove at Browns QB Kellen Mond and ended up landing head first on his knee. Ojomo was briefly motionless and taken on a stretcher.
Update From the Eagles Organization
Per the Eagles, the wideout who came over from the Atlanta Falcons was listed as questionable to return.
Zaccheaus spent his first four seasons with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia.
As for the two defenders, the team provided this update before the half.
“Injury Update: LB Nolan Smith (shoulder) is questionable to return and CB Zech McPhearson (ankle) is ruled out.”
Good news for the 6’2″ WR Cleveland, the Eagles shared that he does have feeling in all of his extremities.
Injury Update: WR Tyrie Cleveland is out with a neck injury. He has movement in all of his extremities.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)
There was similar positivity in the aftermath of the Ojomo injury per the Eagles. He, too, had movement when he left.
Injury Update: DT Moro Ojomo is out with a neck injury. He has movement in all of his extremities.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles)