CJ Gardner-Johnson calls Saints' attack on DeVonta Smith the 'dirtiest' he's ever seen

The Philadelphia Eagles' emotional victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday came at a price. The Eagles lost several players to injuries in the 15-12 victorythe biggest of them is DeVonta Smith.

Smith was lost consciousness due to a concussion and remained on the ground for several minutes after the referees hesitated to blow the whistle at the end of a play. As several Saints defenders pulled Smith back, defensive tackle Khristian Boyd came to Smith's blind side and knocked him down.

Although it appeared that Boyd was targeting Smith's shoulder pads during the collision, Philadelphia safety CJ Gardner-Johnson saw it differently.

“Man, that's the dirtiest shit I've ever seen in football, mate,” Gardner-Johnson told reporters. “You obviously saw the advance was stopped. And for them to attack one of our key players so unfairly shows what kind of team they are. They're top dogs.”

The referee, who didn't blow his whistle when Smith was being dragged back by several defenders, called the hit on Boyd, but that was one of several plays that brought the Saints' defense into question. Offensive tackle Trevor Penning received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after blocking Darius Slay past the sideline and into the stands where the players sit. Slay was injured on the play.

The Eagles could only discuss Smith's injury and his well-being. Boyd received no penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“I saw him laying there unconscious and I waved to the coaching staff like he was unconscious. It was scary,” said offensive tackle Fred Johnson, who filled in for Lane Johnson in the second half. “You never want to see something like that, especially on a play where he catches the ball and runs backwards about five steps.”

“It's up to the referees to call the game over and take the necessary action if he's hit late,” he said. “Given DeVonta's size and for a lineman to hit him five steps after he caught the ball, that's unprofessional. They'll look at that and decide if they need to take the necessary action.”

The Eagles were not happy about the incident, although Boyd wished Smith well on Instagram. Boyd said he would never “intentionally try to cause serious injury to anyone.”

“Whatever it comes down to, man, that has no place in football,” Gardner-Johnson said. “People always talk about CD here, CD there, but let's talk about foul play on their side. Ultimately, the league will deal with it.”