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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was involved in a scary situation on Sunday when he took a big hit from a New Orleans Saints defender. That hit jarred his helmet loose, though no flag was thrown.
Many believed Payton Turner added insult to injury with a disgusting act after watching the replay. He has since responded to the accusations.
Smith hauled in a pass in the second half of action as the Eagles trailed the Saints 3-0. He was quickly wrapped up and driven backwards by a New Orleans tackler, but referees refused to blow the play dead.
With no whistle being heard, a few more Saints got in on the tackle. The final blow came from a backside tackler that sent Smith crumbling to the ground.
brutal shot on Devonta Smith pic.twitter.com/Rn3WUZV6iS
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 22, 2024
Replays showed the aftermath of the play as DeVonta Smith lie motionless on the ground.
Some seemed to notice Payton Turner spitting in Smith’s direction as he made his way to his feet.
🚨DISGUSTING: #Saints DL Payton Turner SPIT ON #Eagles DeVonta Smith, after Smith was knocked out on a dirty hit by #Saints defender.
😳
He was clearly down.. and he spits on him.
(h/t @KyleFourReal) pic.twitter.com/eoRdSijvkW
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 22, 2024
Payton Turner denied the online accusations shortly after the game.
“Y’all reaching,” he posted in a reply on X. “I wouldn’t ever do sum like that. Bless y’all.”
Y’all reaching I wouldn’t ever do sum like that 🤡 bless yall
— 🅿️ayton Turner (@pt_turner98) September 22, 2024
Turner says he had no intention of spitting on DeVonta Smith, even if others saw it differently in the replays. He’s out to clear his name!
Payton Turner and the Saints would go on to lose the contest, 15-12, to fall to 2-1 on the season.