SI

Eagles Defender Played Second Half of Super Bowl LIX Win With One Arm After Injury

Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. toughed through an injury in the second half of the Super Bowl win.

Tim Capurso

Smith Jr. during Super Bowl LIX.
Smith Jr. during Super Bowl LIX. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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Not only is Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. a Super Bowl champion, but he's a warrior too.

Smith Jr. tore his triceps during the Eagles' 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, then proceeded to play through the injury in the second half, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Smith, who was essentially playing with one arm in the second half, was no worse for the wear. The Georgia product tallied four pressures and two quarterback hits in 30 snaps, adding to the onslaught the Eagles' defensive line poured on the Chiefs' offensive line and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Oh, and Smith also didn't let the injury stop him from having the time of his life in the Eagles' locker room after the victory.

Smith, who on Wednesday underwent surgery to repair the injury, is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.

In 16 games played in '24, Smith tallied 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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