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Gimpy Torrey Smith sparks speculation, but Eagles wideout says he's OK

Torrey Smith's persistent limp was a source of discussion among reporters throughout the Eagles practice, but Smith said he was just a bit sore.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith catches a ball during an NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith catches a ball during an NFL football training camp in Philadelphia, Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.Read more(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

One thing you don't see very often in training camp is a guy limping through practice. It's camp. A playoff berth isn't hanging in the balance. If you're hurt, you get off the field and get medical attention, or someone should get you off the field, the way a member of the medical staff took Jaylen Watkins aside for apparent concussion testing Monday after Watkins ended up on the ground during a safety blitz. (Watkins returned to practice.)

But Eagles wideout Torrey Smith, a projected starter, trotted back to the huddle with a pronounced limp after just about every rep he took during Monday's two-hour workout. This led to continued speculation from the media corps. Was it his ankle? His calf? His groin? One reporter thought safety Malcolm Jenkins might have accidentally made contact downfield with Smith's, uh, nether regions.

"Who knows? … Could be a blister, a little soreness," offensive coordinator Frank Reich said after the indoor facility workout.

After an extended post-practice session catching with the ball machine, Smith, 28, cleared up the mystery.

"First day I definitely felt like I was in camp," Smith said. "I was definitely more sore today. We had a good [workout Sunday]. So, I'll be all right. … You'll see me tomorrow, I'm sure I'll be fresh and I'll be fine. It's no big deal."

Right guard Brandon Brooks left practice with an apparent ankle injury, replaced by Chance Warmack. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox had a day off, though he watched the workout. Running back Wendell Smallwood and wideout Marcus Johnson sat out with what are believed to be minor injuries.

Taking the Long view

First-round rookie defensive end Derek Barnett said it was at the impetus of veteran defensive end Chris Long that Barnett took reps on the left side the past few days. Barnett said that when a vet such as Long says, "Get some reps over here," he listens. "What am I going to say to him?" Barnett asked.

Barnett said the experience was valuable, but the difference wasn't vast.

"I think it's pretty much the same. At the end of the day, it's just switchin' what hand you put down. It's still the same techniques; you have to be able to do it on the right and on the left," Barnett said.

One thing that stands out about Barnett is how eager he is to learn from vets. Left tackle Jason Peters has been working with Barnett after practice, but Barnett said Monday, "Even during practice, I'm asking JP, if he's calling something out, 'How'd you pick that up?' "