NFL: Preseason-Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles

Aug 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Marcus Smith (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert (77) battle during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Steelers, 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

(Eric Hartline)

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith has been glued to the bench since coming to Philadelphia, spending more time on the inactive list than on the field.

That should change this Thursday, when the linebacker could go from little-used backup to playing under the bright lights of the Thanksgiving day game against the Dallas Cowboys.

"It's a real big opportunity for me," Smith said. "They picked me for a reason. I want to go out there and play hard now that I am finally getting a shot. I'll be running around trying to hit somebody."

Smith's chance is only coming due to an injury to middle linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who suffered a groin injury during the team's win over the Tennessee Titans. Acho hasn't ruled himself out for Thursday, but he has missed the team's first two days of practice, and said that if the game was on Wednesday, he wouldn't be able to play.

With Acho sidelined, Smith has been getting the reps behind starter Casey Matthews, and has even been in with the first team.

"It's going good," Smith said. "I'm getting better at calling plays, calling situations. It's something I have done before, but only on the offensive side of the ball."

Smith's time on the offensive side of the ball wasn't at Louisville, but in high school, when he was his team's starting quarterback. The linebacker said his time at quarterback helped, as he is used to getting his teammates into position and ready for the next play.

"It will help me out a lot," Smith said of working with the first team and calling plays. "(I'm getting) a better feel for the game. However many snaps they want to give me, I'm going to have to capitalize on every snap I get."

The pressure on Smith to capitalize must feel like it is coming from everywhere. Not only will practically be making his NFL debut against the Cowboys in a game with the division on the line, but he will also be dealing with the pressure from the fans who have grown tired of the first-round pick not contributing.

If Smith can make the most of the situation, however, he could end up staying on the field. The Eagles moved Smith to the inside after starter DeMeco Ryans got hurt, and although he is still behind Matthews and Acho, the team has more invested in Smith than they do the other three.

Meaning if Smith can play well, and show he is ready for the position, he might be the team's inside linebacker for much longer than just Thursday.

"If I do really well and it sticks," Smith said, "I guess inside linebacker will be my position."

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.