Eagles Sign WR Smith, Cut Cunningham

The Eagles announced today that they’ve signed WR Brad Smith and released WR B.J. Cunningham.

Smith, 29, was a free agent. He’d been with the Buffalo Bills since 2011 and caught 14 balls for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. He also ran 14 times for 116 yards and a score. Smith suffered a rib injury in the team’s preseason finale and was released on Friday.

Smith’s real strength is on special teams. He averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return last season and had four returns for touchdowns from 2009 to 2012. He has only returned two punts in seven NFL seasons.

Smith might be better at this point in his career as a special-teams coverage guy. He tied for the team lead last season with nine special teams tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.

Damaris Johnson had been handling kickoffs for the Eagles, averaging 25.9 yard per return. But he suffered a an ankle injury, and Brandon Boykin has taken over.

The Eagles currently have six wide receivers on their roster: DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper, Jason Avant, Jeff Maehl, Johnson and Smith.

Cunningham had been inactive the last two games and had not played any snaps this season.

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