DeVonta Smith: The officials should blow the whistle before I get a concussion

Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith wishes officials would do more to protect him from the concussion that has knocked him out since Week 3.

On the play in question, Smith caught a pass, was wrapped up and was pushed back by several players when Saints defensive lineman Christian Boyd joined in the gang tackle and hit Smith in the head. Boyd was not flagged on the play but was fined $4,665 by the NFL for the hit.

Smith, who was cleared to return this week, said he had no problem with Boyd’s actions but wished the officials had botched the play when his forward progress was halted.

“I don’t feel like it was a dirty hitSmith said, via Zach Berman. “More than that, I feel the referee’s whistle should have been blown. . . . I can’t extend the play if I’m moving backwards.”

Smith said he remembers the hit and its immediate aftermath, but not what happened after he went to the locker room. He said he remembers supporting teammate AJ Brown, who exited the game with a hamstring injury and left the bench to be with Smith.

“I won’t tell [it was] “Scary because I didn’t know what was happening at that moment,” Smith said.

Smith officially agreed to the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday, 19 days after suffering the concussion.