DENVER -- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay was joking all week that he could produce as a wide receiver.
He showed off his yards-after-the catch ability with an 82-yard fumble return for a touchdown late in the third quarter Sunday. Slay scooped up a fumble by Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon, bobbled it, broke right, then bounced it back and found a crease down the left side
It was the longest defensive touchdown for the Eagles since 2015 Week 17 against the New York Giants.
Don't play with Slay!@bigplay24slay | #PHIvsDEN pic.twitter.com/ZOJ4iYl7I8
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 14, 2021
Earlier in the game, Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith landed the first blow in a battle of Alabama first-round picks.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Smith, who turned 23 on Sunday, for a 36-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone late in the first quarter to give Philadelphia a lead over Denver. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II was tight in coverage, but Smith showed good body control as he leapt to secure the catch. He now has touchdowns in back-to-back games.
Smith had 0.7 yards of separation on the TD pass. That's the second-least distance of separation on a passing touchdown in Hurts' career and only his third career tight-window touchdown, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.
Surtain and Smith went ninth and 10th overall in April's NFL draft. They played three seasons together at Alabama. This week, Smith credited Surtain for making him a better receiver through their competition in practice.
The birthday boy climbed a Mile High to catch this one@DeVontaSmith_6 | #PHIvsDEN pic.twitter.com/fNqeHTqnjI
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 14, 2021