Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith quiet in preseason debut; QB Jalen Hurts late scratch – USA TODAY

PHILADELPHIA — The surprises began shortly before the game started when Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who participated in warmups, was held out with what the team called a non-COVID illness. 

That was after the Eagles decided to go without a kicker after Jake Elliott hurt his ankle in practice Monday, and they held out most of their starters on both the offensive and defensive lines.

And then the game started, and it was an utter disaster. The Eagles lost 35-0 to the New England Patriots on Thursday night, and it should have been worse.

But let’s start with the long-awaited debut of prized rookie DeVonta Smith. 

Sure, it could have gone better. Smith dropped the first pass thrown his away, although quarterback Joe Flacco threw it a little late and a little low, and it wouldn’t have been close to a first down on a third-and-9.

And Smith flat out dropped another pass over the middle. That, however, was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty on the Patriots.

There was also a pass down the sideline that Flacco threw to Smith’s back shoulder. Smith turned around late, but the ball was probably headed out of bounds anyway, and it fell incomplete.

Finally, Flacco and Smith connected on the fourth attempt, a 9-yard play over the middle. Flacco later hit Smith for 10 yards near the end of the first half. 

In all, Smith had two receptions on four targets for 19 yards.

But a closer look showed that Smith was able to get separation from his defenders, both because of his speed and his precise route running. And that is the promising part of his debut.

Keep in mind, Smith had just returned Tuesday after missing two weeks of practice with a knee injury. It’s safe to say he had only taken a few snaps, if any, with Flacco during training camp.

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For now, Smith got his feet wet. Even if Smith is held out of the preseason finale next Friday against the Jets, he at least got his debut out of the way heading into the regular season.

Speaking of Flacco

It was not a good night for Flacco, even though he went 10-for-17 for the second straight week.

Against the Steelers, Flacco threw for 178 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown to Quez Watkins. Against the Patriots, Flacco threw for 83 yards and an interception.

On his third play, Nate Herbig, starting at center in place of Jason Kelce, snapped the ball over Flacco’s head from the 41-yard line. Flacco chased down the ball, tried to make a play, but was tackled and fumbled it.

The Patriots recovered at the Eagles’ 9 and scored a touchdown two plays later. Flacco’s interception came when his pass to Jalen Reagor deflected off him into the arms of Brian Khoury.

Bright spots?

Rookie Kenny Gainwell had 21 yards rushing on five carries and caught three passes for 23 yards … Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Alex Singleton played well on defense. That was about it.

Lowlights?

Where to begin? Nick Mullens struggled for the second straight game. He was 5-for-10 for 27 yards with an interception and was sacked three times … The Eagles gave up 486 total yards, including 207 rushing yards … The offense got only 163 yards … Offensive lineman Matt Pryor had a rough night.

Others sitting out

The Eagles also went without cornerback Darius Slay, defensive linemen Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat. Barnett (shoulder) and Hargrave (ankle) were the only ones listed on the Eagles’ injury report from practice Tuesday.

On the offensive line, center Jason Kelce, right tackle Lane Johnson and right guard Brandon Brooks also sat out. None were listed on the injury report. 

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.