Notes: Marcus Smith Nearing Return

Marcus Smith has spent most of OTAs working off to the side with trainers.

He injured his right groin on the second day of spring practice, he said, and has been essentially a spectator since. After a rookie year full of frustrations, it wasn’t exactly the start to 2015 he was looking for.

“I was just like, ‘Something else. It’s gotta be something else,’ ” said Smith. “But I’m glad it happened now rather than later.”

The second-year outside linebacker did work in on some individual drills Monday and expects to participate in team drills come Wednesday.

Smith has been moved back to outside linebacker after being pushed inside for a good portion of last season. With a year under his belt at this level, he says that he is “100 percent more comfortable”  this time around. The 23-year-old reportedly added about 15 pounds this offseason, and believes he is now better equipped to go up against NFL tackles.

“The hardest thing for me I think was the run game, just stopping the offensive tackle and being able to set the edge,” said Smith, who is working at both Predator and Jack. “That’s why this offseason I wanted to get bigger and stronger and be ready for that…

“I think I’m starting to get that trust from [the coaches] because I know the system, I know what’s going on, now it’s all about just going out and making plays.”

— DeMeco Ryans, Earl Wolff and Julian Vandervelde worked off to the side along with Smith at the beginning of Monday’s practice. Ryans’ routine in the sessions open to reporters has been to start out with the trainers before eventually joining the rest of his teammates in drills. Josh Huff, who was sidelined last week with a hip injury, returned to action.

— Fletcher Cox and Darren Sproles were both absent from practice Monday. The Eagles did not offer any additional information. OTAs are voluntary.