Eagles Notes: Rookie Smith gets first action at LB

The Eagles needed three linebackers to replace Mychal Kendricks in Sunday's 37-34 win over the Washington Redskins. Emmanuel Acho started at inside linebacker, Casey Matthews played, and Marcus Smith saw his first action of the season.

Defensive coordinator Bill Davis and inside linebackers coach Rick Minter devised a plan that used all three in different situations.

"I know [the plan] was to rotate Casey and Acho in there - keeping those guys fresh - and we thought about in passing situations when we moved Marcus in there that he can give you some help in some nickel situations," coach Chip Kelly said. "I didn't see anything glaringly wrong from what they did, but I can't sit here and say they played outstanding, either, until I really watch the tape."

Acho had three tackles, Matthews assisted on one tackle, and Smith did not record a statistic.

Smith, a first-round draft pick, did not play in the opener and was inactive last week.

"I felt like I did average," he said. "I'm still learning, still trying to get the position down pat. It got better for me as the game went on - started to get a good feel for it, starting to get in the backfield some. I think overall, I can't wait for Tuesday's practice to come so I keep getting better at it."

Smith was a defensive end in college and was drafted to play outside linebacker. He did not start playing inside linebacker until this week because of Kendricks' injury.

"I just have to try to get good at it so I can be flexible so they can count on me to play outside or inside," Smith said.

Rookie receiver Jordan Matthews rebounded from a slow start to the season with a two-touchdown performance. The second-round pick had three catches in the first two games. Matthews finished with eight catches for 59 yards against Washington.

"I couldn't ask for better throws from [Nick Foles] and the line giving him good protection," Matthews said. "The rest of the guys around me, with so many weapons, sometimes I am able to sneak around and get loose. I hadn't done too much in the first couple of games, so I got a bit sneaky, and they forgot about me."

Center Jason Kelce (abdomen) was the only player who left the game with an injury and could not return. LeSean McCoy was examined for a head injury, but returned to play. . . . Villanova product Darrel Young caught a touchdown for Washington. . . . Eagles safety Earl Wolff was inactive with a knee injury after playing the first two games. Offensive lineman Matt Tobin (ankle) remained sidelined for a third straight game, although he practiced this week. The other inactive players were receiver Josh Huff (shoulder), quarterback Matt Barkley, offensive lineman Kevin Graf, and defensive end Taylor Hart.