Ainias Smith proves he's blossomed since rookie year in Eagles' preseason win over Bengals

Philadelphia Eagles' second-year wide receiver Ainias Smith's preseason already looks much different from last year's.

The Eagles' former 2024 fifth-round pick put on quite the show in the team's 34-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.

Smith hauled in only two passes for 11 yards, but scored a touchdown with one of his catches. He also made an impact on special teams and returned a punt for 46 yards to set the Birds up for another touchdown late in the second half.

In 2024, Smith had missed a good chunk of the Eagles' NFL training camp with an ankle injury that put him on Injured Reserve. Because of that, he didn't get much of a chance to prove himself. Even before Smith was injured, he was showing very few promising signs during camp practices.

Once he returned in October, Smith saw action in seven games and finished the year reeling in seven catches for 41 yards and one touchdown, which he scored in Week 18 against the New York Giants when the Eagles rested their starters.

Entering Year 2, Smith had said that he feels a lot faster, and he's already proven that to the football world.

“Since last year, I really didn’t have the full offseason, but now I feel real good this year, I’m excited,” Smith told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston last month. “I’m explosive. I’m lighter than I was last year, so I’m excited for sure. I lost a few pounds, for sure.”

The Eagles don't have clear depth behind starting wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith; however, (Ainias) Smith is already making a great case for his spot on the 53-man roster.

The Eagles have two more preseason games this month, with the next one happening on Saturday, August 16, against the Cleveland Browns.