Eagles TE Smith expected to start vs. Giants

Nov 5, 2008 - 10:45 PM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Tight end L.J. Smith practiced fully Wednesday and is expected to play for the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's night pivotal NFC East clash against the New York Giants.

The injury-plagued Smith sat out last weekend's 26-7 win over the Seattle Seahawks with a concussion. It is the third game he has missed this season.

"He is feeling pretty good today," Eagles coach Andy Reid said prior to Wednesday's practice. "He went through walkthrough, he's going to go through practice."

Second-year tight end Brent Celek had a huge game against the Seahawks in Smith's absence, hauling in six catches for 131 yards.

Smith has just 12 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns in five games.

Philadelphia (5-3) trails the Giants (7-1) by two games in the NFC East, but Sunday marks the first of two games between the bitter rivals in a five-week span.