Wide receiver Steve Smith is hurt and will probably go on PUP, yet the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal. The question: Why?

The Eagles must figure they can get something out of the guy, and they do. In fact, some people close to Smith said he's making so much progress from a knee injury that shelved him last season that he's starting to run pass routes.

That means he might, just might, be ready for the opening of the season, but I wouldn't count on it. The Eagles want to make sure he's ready before they put him on the field. What seems apparent here is that the Eagles' physicians must think that Smith is farther along in his recovery than the Giants' physicians.

Smith's addition would appear to be a hedge against Jeremy Maclin, who still hasn't recovered from a mystery illness and is not practicing, but it's not. In fact, I'm told the Eagles have been studying an addition at wide receiver for some time and locked on Smith because of his success against them in 2009 when he led the Giants with 107 catches.

Smith had 15 receptions in two games vs. Philadelphia that year. He also had 16 vs. Dallas and 11 vs. Washington. Do the math, people: That's 42 catches in six NFC East games, or an average of seven per start.

I guess what I'm saying is that regardless of what happens to Maclin, the Eagles were looking for help at wide receiver and jumped when Smith became available. And why not? It's a low-risk, high-reward signing.

First of all, it hurts a division rival. Smith was a key component of the Giants' passing game. Second, it makes the Eagles stronger at a position where they appear loaded, with DeSean Jackson, Smith, Maclin, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper. Third, no matter when he plays, the Eagles are convinced they found a slot receiver who can catch balls in traffic -- a perfect complement to Jackson and Maclin.

It all makes sense ...again.