Payton Turner denies spitting on DeVonta Smith during the Eagles' controversial win over the Saints

New Orleans Saints edge rusher Payton Turner denied spitting on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith while the wide receiver lay on the turf Sunday after suffering a concussion in an impact that knocked his helmet off his head.

Turner responded to a post on X on Monday morning that showed a post-game video, saying: “Y’all, I would never do something like that God bless you all.”

This is another addition to the Eagles' 15-12 victory over the Saints at Caesars Superdome, which featured controversial moments during and after the game.

Smith was thrown up by Saints defensive tackle Khristian Boyd in the fourth quarter as he fell backward after receiving a pass. The receiver's helmet came off, causing a scary moment. Teammates gathered around Smith while members of the Eagles team tended to him. He left the field under his own power. There was no penalty.

Eagles defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson, who is known for speaking his mind and harassing players, called it a “cheap trick” and “dirty play” by a player on his former team.

“Man, that's the dirtiest (expletive) I've ever seen in football, bro,” Gardner-Johnson said. “You obviously saw the advance stopped. For them to attack one of our key players so unfairly shows what kind of team they are. They're top of the league.” He added: “You always talk about Ceedy here, Ceedy there, but let's talk about how they play dirty on their side.”

However, other Eagles players did not make similar claims in postgame interviews.

Eagles Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson after the win against his former team:

“Listen, we keep receipts. I told you all that in the dressing room. 'See you on Sunday.' I told you a few days before, they got rid of me, I'm not getting rid of them. It's still in me. It's still…

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) 22 September 2024

In another awkward moment late in the game, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter annoyed Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu by giving Mathieu and cornerback Marshon Lattimore two thumbs down. Carter then let loose with the Superdome crowd by taunting the fans and approaching the stands. Eagles staff, including coach Nick Sirianni, restrained Carter and sent him back to the bench.

Jalen Carter was just a little excited at the end of the game for the @Eagle pic.twitter.com/zgBD1ge7p5

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) 22 September 2024

“Me and (Lattimore) should never go on the sidelines of those guys. It happens to all of us,” Mathieu said. “The emotions got the better of us. I didn't hear from those guys the whole game until the end. I'm looking forward to hopefully playing against them again.”

Required reading

(Photo: Gus Stark/Getty Images)