The Philadelphia Eagles took to the NovaCare Complex on Sunday for a brisk 89-minute practice session. Setters are up, and the squad showcased a blend of competitive drills and player updates, building momentum for their upcoming joint session with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
One-on-One Showdowns
One of the highlights of the day was the intriguing one-on-one battles. Quinyon Mitchell and Devonta Smith squared off three times. Smith caught a pass in the first round, but Mitchell bounced back, forcing incompletions in the subsequent rounds. Meanwhile, safety Andre Sam had the better of wide receiver Ainias Smith in their individual duel.
Standout Performances
Johnny Wilson emerged as a key player, receiving a significant number of WR3 snaps. Wilson demonstrated his potential by catching a pass from Jalen Hurts in the back corner of the end zone over Mitchell. Veteran receiver A.J. Brown also put on a show, catching a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone. Brown celebrated exuberantly, kicking or punting the ball onto an adjacent practice field and enthusiastically shouting, "Hell no!" to celebrations.
Defensive players had their moments too. Jalyx Hunt batted down a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11 drills and played a role in blocking a punt during the special teams session. Vic Fangio noted, “Jalyx Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp.” Additionally, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made his mark by blitzing Kenny Pickett, forcing an incompletion, and maintaining solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley.
Injury Updates
On the injury front, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third straight practice due to a shoulder injury. Alongside him, linebacker Oren Burks remained out, missing his 10th consecutive practice. Parris Campbell was another absentee, missing his fourth straight session. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra did not participate due to their respective injuries.
There were a few players who had limited participation. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith were seen in action, albeit minimally. Pass rusher Patrick Johnson, dealing with a lower leg contusion, also took part in a few drills. Mekhi Becton, currently the favorite for the starting right guard spot, threw up during practice but continued without missing any plays.
Shuffling the Lineup
With Gardner-Johnson absent, Avonte Maddox stepped up to start alongside Reed Blankenship, while James Bradberry received first-team reps at safety. Zack Baun and Devin White manned the starting linebacker positions, with Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. taking second-team reps. Dean also saw some first-team action. Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo took first-team snaps at cornerback, with Quinyon Mitchell operating in the slot position.
Preparing for Greater Challenges
As the Eagles gear up for their joint practice with the Patriots, the team’s competitive spirit is palpable. Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson are primarily occupying the WR3 snaps, with Covey establishing himself as a wideout and punt returner and Wilson tracking towards a roster spot. The team’s depth is on display, from defensive plays to offensive drills, hinting at a promising road ahead.
This practice session is an indication of a team building momentum for the season ahead. With each drill, pass, and catch, the Eagles are honing their skills, ready to face the challenges the upcoming season throws at them.