Eagles Notes: Eagles' Steve Smith expects to play against Rams

Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith said he expects to play Sunday, just nine months after undergoing microfracture surgery to help him recover from an articular cartilage injury in his left knee.

Smith may only have a limited role behind DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Jason Avant, but he has a package of plays he expects to be involved in.

"It is a miracle. God, I guess, helped me heal," Simth said. "You know, I'm still healing, I'm still getting better. But I'm just able to do stuff."

He said he has been studying hard to prepare.

"I'm behind DeSean and I got me a package of plays in the four-wide set, so we'll see what happens," Smith said.

Andy Reid would not commit to putting Smith on the field, saying only "there's a chance" he plays.

"I can't tell you how many snaps or that, but there's a chance he does play," Reid said.

Smith has practiced all week. He was officially listed as probable Friday afternoon.

Reid said Smith was able to recover from microfracture surgery faster than some others because the surgery did not affect his cartilage or ligaments, and he hasn't had any swelling.

"His body is just unique, I think," Reid said.

Backup quarterback Vince Young is listed as doubtful. He did not practice this week - other than a few snaps on Friday - so Mike Kafka is likely the No. 2 quarterback Sunday.

Reid said earlier this week that he has full confidence in the second-year Kafka. If something were to happen to both Michael Vick and Kafka and Young were unable to play, wide receiver Avant would likely be the emergency quarterback.

Asante Samuel "tweaked" his shoulder in practice, Reid said, but the cornerback will be listed as probable. Reid said he did not think the injury would be an issue. Samuel said he'll play. . . . The following Eagles were all listed as probable: Nate Allen (knee), Antonio Dixon (back), Clay Harbor (shoulder), Jaiquawn Jarrett (quadricep), Winston Justice (knee), Trevor Laws (hip), Juqua Parker (calf), Danny Watkins (foot).