Smith ready for return to Philly

PHILADELPHIA >> In a lot of ways, it’s like Torrey Smith never left Philadelphia despite being traded to the Carolina Panthers.

Smith is reminded of his place in history each time he flies into the city, drives by Lincoln Financial Field or signs autographs for an Eagles fans.

“There’s only one way to look back on it, we were Super Bowl champions,” Smith said on a conference call Wednesday. “To be a part of a special team, a special unit is something I’ll never forget and something the city will never forget. For me, my family, my in-laws are still up there, I’m still in Philadelphia all the time. It’s pretty special to know that every time you pass the Linc or every time you come in contact with an Eagles fan out there how much it meant to be a small piece of that.

“Even to go to the airport, it’s like a constant reminder of the history and I was glad to be a small part of it with some great men.”

Smith hauled in 36 passes for 430 yards (11.9 yard average) with two touchdowns in the regular season, and 13 balls for 157 yards (12.1 average) and a score in the postseason.

After the season, the Eagles shipped him to the Panthers for Daryl Worley, who was supposed to replace Patrick Robinson at nickel corner. Worley was cut by the Eagles roughly one month later after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence as well as weapons and disorderly conduct charges. He was found sleeping in a car blocking an intersection near the Eagles’ complex.

Smith, who had a high salary-cap number, said he wasn’t surprised to be dealt and that the Eagles “did a great job of communicating.”

“I knew I would be there or I would be traded,” Smith said. “It wasn’t really anything where I was blindsided, and I appreciate that.”

Smith has 12 catches for 110 yards and two TDs for the Panthers (3-2), who oppose the Eagles Sunday. He had a big fourth quarter last week, featuring a TD grab and a two-point conversion, that nearly rallied the Panthers to victory, but Washington escaped with a 23-17 decision.

“Torrey has been a heck of an addition to our football team,” Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said. “He’s got great speed, and in last week’s game he really showed up big for us and did some really good things.

“I’m just really excited about him. He’s a good blocker. He blocks very well on the second level for us. He’s been a good route runner. He’s a good deep ball threat for us. He’s been that kind of guy. And then he’s been a good locker room guy. He really fits in well with our guys.”

Smith says he’s regularly in contact with Eagles players, whether it’s FaceTiming Fletcher Cox or speaking to former wide receiver mentees Nelson Agholor, Alshon Jeffery and Mack Hollins, or chatting with Jason Kelce and Nate Sudfeld, to name a few.

“I try to check in,” Smith said. “We all try to check in.”

And what do they talk about? How the Eagles shouldn’t have traded Smith in the first place? There was a rather loud laugh on the other end.

“It’s never really about football,” Smith said. “Just catching up, talking about family and that’s really about it.

“My son still talks about Carson. Every time we’re watching TV or see him on TV, it’s like ‘there’s my friend Carson.’ I love him to death, man. and I’m so excited to see him on the field and see him continue to get more comfortable playing the game he loves.’

For Smith, the catching up and otherwise just catching, continues here this weekend. It will seem as if he never left.

••• Jason Peters practiced Wednesday, albeit on a limited basis, with braces on his right knee and right biceps. He looked a little like one of those seniors who qualify for the free braces in the TV commercials.

Reports that Peters would miss a start appear greatly exaggerated. Pederson hasn’t even considered sitting the 36-year-old veteran a few weeks to get healthier.

“No, there is really no need to,” Pederson said. “Jason, we have all the confidence in the world in Jason. He works his tail off each week and gets himself prepared and ready to go. Very comfortable with him playing.”

The other offensive tackle, Lane Johnson, didn’t practice Wednesday due to a high ankle sprain. Johnson played through it last Thursday.

Also held out of practice were linebackers Nate Gerry (ankle, knee) and D.J. Alexander (quadriceps), running back Darren Sproles (hamstring) and defensive backs Rasul Douglas (not injury related), Sidney Jones (hamstring) and Corey Graham (hamstring).

Peters, defensive linemen Derek Barnett (shoulder) and Haloti Ngata (calf), and Wentz (back) were limited.

••• For the Panthers, safety Mike Adams, the 15-year veteran out of the University of Delaware sat out practice Wednesday, although it was for rest and not injury-related.

The others who didn’t practice: defenders Mario Addison (rest), Ben Jacobs (not injury-related), Kyle Love (shoulder), Julius Peppers (rest) and Andre Smith (hamstring).

Tight end Greg Olsen (foot) was limited in the practice session.

MARK TENALLY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Though former Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith has moved on to Carolina, he’s still bonded to his Super Bowl-champion teammates, who he’ll visit at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday.