The problem for Philadelphia is that there’s a shot another team comes in and claims Smith now that he’s on waivers. He enjoyed a strong summer, and he already has experience (albeit limited experience) playing in the NFL. If Smith clears waivers, a return to the Eagles could very well be in the cards, but for now, Philly is left waiting to see if their decision to gamble and release their former fifth-round pick will pay off.
Eagles Make Roster Decision on Former 5th Round Pick Ainias Smith
Posted August 27, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have made it clear all offseason long that they aren’t content with winning Super Bowl LIX, which is what they did last season. They want more championships, and with an extremely talented roster at their disposal, it’s clear that they have a great shot of repeating as champions in 2025.
On Tuesday, the team crossed off the final big item on their offseason to-do list when they trimmed their roster down to 53 players. Of course, some tough decisions had to be made along the way, with one of the most difficult of the bunch involving the release of second-year wide receiver Ainias Smith.
Eagles Release Wide Receiver Ainias Smith
The Eagles brought Smith to town when they selected him in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. After initially beginning the season on injured reserve, Smith was eventually activated as a depth option at the wide receiver position. In seven games, Smith caught seven passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, earning a Super Bowl as part of Philly’s championship-winning team.
Entering the 2025 campaign, Smith was undoubtedly hoping to build off of his rookie season and earn a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster. However, his hopes were dealt a blow during training camp when the front office traded for John Metchie III from the Houston Texans, as that was another wide receiver spot that the team had filled.
With Johnny Wilson being placed on injured reserve, that essentially left Smith to battle with undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for the final wide receiver spot on the roster. Ultimately, Cooper ended up winning the job, with Smith getting released as part of Philadelphia’s roster cuts. Despite that, it sounds like the team is interested in bringing Smith back to town as a practice squad player.
“Eagles will try and bring Ainias Smith back to the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers,” Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote in a post on X. “His release bodes well for undrafted rookie WR Darius Cooper’s chances of making the 53-man roster.”
Could Ainias Smith Return to the Eagles as a Member of Their Practice Squad?
Smith’s release isn’t necessarily indicative of any sort of struggles he endured during training camp, but rather a testament to Cooper’s strong play. The former Texas A&M Aggies star has familiarity with the Eagles’ offensive system, which makes him a prime candidate to return to the team on their practice squad after his release.
