Eagles' Nolan Smith Faces Reckless Driving Charges After 135 MPH Arrest
Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith was arrested last week in Georgia, accused of speeding and reckless driving. Reports indicate that Smith was allegedly driving at 135 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone at 10:41 p.m. on a Friday night, according to ESPN. After his arrest, Smith posted bond and was released the same night. A court date is scheduled for July 14, 2026. The sheriff’s office noted that Smith might avoid appearing in court if he pays the associated fines related to the arrest citations. As a 2023 first-round pick, Smith is coming off a productive season, having recorded three sacks last year. Over his three seasons in Philadelphia, he has accumulated 10.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 10 tackles for loss. His performance is expected to be crucial for the Eagles' defense this season, provided he remains available. The primary concern now revolves around his availability for upcoming games, as the league is likely to investigate the reckless driving incident under its personal conduct policy. Historically, the NFL has been relatively lenient with players facing punishment for speeding and reckless driving, unless other serious circumstances are involved. A case in point is Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, who has been cited for speeding multiple times without facing league discipline. Conversely, players like Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs have received penalties for speeding violations that led to injuries. Given the NFL's historical approach, it appears unlikely that Smith will face a suspension, although the league may need to reassess its stance on driving-related incidents that do not result in injuries.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-21