The Philadelphia Eagles continued their preseason preparations with an 89-minute practice session at the NovaCare Complex on Sunday. The short but intense practice featured competitive drills, player evaluations, and lineup adjustments as the team gears up for a joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
Player Battles and Highlights
During the session, one of the standout moments came from wide receiver Devonta Smith and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who squared off in three intense one-on-one battles. Smith made an early statement by catching a pass in the first round, but Mitchell responded by forcing two consecutive incompletions. Similarly, safety Andre Sam bested wide receiver Ainias Smith in their one-on-one drill, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Johnny Wilson, who has been receiving a majority of WR3 snaps, made a significant impact by catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone, outplaying Quinyon Mitchell. Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown also shone brightly, catching a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone. Brown's touchdown celebration was particularly exuberant, as he kicked or punted the ball onto a neighboring practice field, punctuating the moment with a spirited “Hell no!” to the celebrations.
On the defensive side, Jalyx Hunt had a day to remember. He batted down a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11 drills and also participated in blocking a punt during the special teams portion of the practice. Vic Fangio commented that Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp, further solidifying his standing within the squad.
Another defensive standout was Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who managed to blitz Kenny Pickett, forcing an incompletion, and maintained solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley. These efforts did not go unnoticed and underscored Trotter Jr.'s versatility and value to the team.
Injury Updates
The Eagles are dealing with a series of injuries that are impacting player participation. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third consecutive practice due to a shoulder injury. Linebacker Oren Burks has been absent for ten consecutive sessions, while wide receiver Parris Campbell has missed four straight practices. Additionally, tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra did not participate due to injuries.
Some players had limited participation: safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith saw restricted action, and pass rusher Patrick Johnson was also limited due to a lower leg contusion. Mekhi Becton, who is the current front-runner for the starting right guard position, threw up during practice but impressively did not miss any plays.
Lineup and Roster Insights
Avonte Maddox started alongside Reed Blankenship in Gardner-Johnson’s absence. James Bradberry received first-team reps at the safety position, helping the team adjust to the ongoing injuries. At linebacker, Zack Baun and Devin White held the starting positions, while Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. took second-team reps, with Dean also seeing some action with the first team.
On the cornerback front, Isaiah Rodgers started opposite Darius Slay, with Kelee Ringo receiving first-team reps and Quinyon Mitchell playing in the slot. The shifts in these positions reflect the depth and competition within the Eagles' roster.
Both Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson occupied WR3 snaps, with Covey standing out as a wideout and punt returner. Wilson’s impressive performance has put him on track for a roster spot.
The practice session highlighted not only the talent but also the depth and competitive spirit within the Eagles' squad. This momentum is crucial as the team builds anticipation for the upcoming season. Each practice session, each drill, and each player battle brings the team one step closer to their season goals, with both veterans and new talents contributing to the team's evolving dynamics.