Philadelphia Eagles (Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
Philadelphia Eagles star linebacker Nolan Smith suffered a gnarly injury in the club’s Super Bowl 59 blowout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

12 days after the Eagles defeated Kansas City 40-22 in Super Bowl 59, we’ve learned of a significant injury that Nolan Smith suffered in New Orleans. Incredibly, the second-year linebacker managed to play through it.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the second-year linebacker played the second half with a torn triceps. Smith had surgery on Wednesday, and Rapoport added that he’ll be ready for the 2025 season.

Smith finished the Super Bowl with two hits on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Philly front seven dominated from start to finish, sacking Mahomes six times and causing a forced fumble that the defense recovered.

It was the polar opposite of Super Bowl 57, where the Eagles got zero sacks on Mahomes despite putting up 70 in the regular season. Mahomes diced up the Philly defense with one bad ankle, but the 29-year-old stood no chance against Vic Fangio’s defense.

The Eagles thwarted KC’s three-peat and now have two Super Bowl championships in eight years. Win another in the next few years, and they’ll be in the conversation as a 21st century dynasty.

Nolan Smith Had A Breakout Season In 2024

Nolan Smith (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old Nolan Smith had a breakout year , recording 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 42 tackles in the regular season. In Philly’s four playoff games, he had four sacks and one forced fumble.

Eagles legend Brandon Graham may very well retire in the coming weeks, and star pass rusher Josh Sweat is likely to depart in free agency. That means the Eagles will rely more on Smith, who emerged as a key force on Philly’s defense after spending his rookie year in a rotational role.