The Philadelphia Eagles lost right tackle Lane Johnson to a concussion during Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints when wide receiver DeVonta Smith was taken out of the game by a hard hit.

For the third straight snap, Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with the former Alabama All-American on a first-and-10 play from the Eagles 30-yard line. With Smith brought down after a 5-yard gain by New Orleans defensive back Paulson Adebo and Kendal Vickers, 320-pound Khristian Boyd, running the full length of the play behind, shot Smith in the back and head.

Smith’s helmet flew off and the impact left him flat on the grass.

“Man, that’s the nastiest (expletive) I’ve ever seen in football, bro,” Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson said after the game. “You guys clearly saw the forward momentum get stopped. They’re going to take a cheap shot at one of our key players, and that shows you what kind of team they are: They’re league leaders.”

After being treated on the field, Smith walked to the medical tent on the sideline and then to the locker room. Smith waved his arms and a towel to cheer Eagles fans in Caesars Superdome on his way to the locker room, but he did not return to the game.

The NFL team announced that Smith was being evaluated for a concussion. Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni did not provide any new information about Smith’s injury after the game.

“DeVonta Smith, man, he’s one of the toughest guys I know,” Sirianni said. “He’s one of the toughest guys I know, and I’ll get an update on how he’s doing. Obviously he didn’t get back in the game, but if he could have, he would have, because DeVonta Smith is tough. And when one of your best players has that much mental and physical toughness, it’s contagious.”

The Eagles trailed 3-0 when Smith fouled out with 13:45 remaining. On the next snap, Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown, and the Eagles secured a 15-12 victory.

“What we did after that was we just hunkered down and said, let’s trust each other and do this for Smitty,” Barkley said. “Sometimes it just works out that way.”

Smith, a native of Amite City, Louisiana, played for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday in New Orleans.

“I know it was a special game for him,” Hurts said, “and I’m glad that as a team we found a way to win in his home state, and hopefully he can hear those words and be proud.”