The Philadelphia Eagles took to the NovaCare Complex for an 89-minute practice session on Sunday, with an impressive display of skill and competitiveness across the roster. The team continues its preparations for the upcoming joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
Intense One-on-One Battles
Highlighting the practice were emphatic one-on-one competitions, particularly those between Quinyon Mitchell and Devonta Smith. In their three encounters, Smith initially triumphed with a pass catch, but Mitchell responded forcefully to force incompletions in the subsequent two rounds. Meanwhile, safety Andre Sam showcased his prowess by outperforming wide receiver Ainias Smith in their drill.
Receivers Making Their Mark
Johnny Wilson appeared as a predominant figure, receiving significant WR3 snaps. His skill was evident when he spectacularly caught a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over Quinyon Mitchell—an eye-catching moment that underscored his rising status. Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown also made a notable impact, grabbing a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone and marking the occasion with an exuberant celebration by kicking the ball onto a neighboring practice field. When questioned about the energetic display, Brown spiritedly replied, “Hell no!”
Adding to the competitive edge, defensive standout Jalyx Hunt had a bustling day. During the 11-on-11 drills, Hunt managed to bat down a Jalen Hurts pass, followed by contributing to a punt block during the special teams segment. These impactful plays prompted Vic Fangio to comment that Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp.
Defensive Resilience
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was another defensive player who demonstrated his capabilities, disrupting Kenny Pickett’s rhythm with an aggressive blitz that resulted in an incompletion. Trotter's consistency was further illustrated by his solid pass coverage against Saquon Barkley.
Injury Concerns
However, not all news was positive for the Eagles. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third straight practice due to a shoulder injury. Linebacker Oren Burks' absence extended to 10 consecutive practices, and wide receiver Parris Campbell missed his fourth straight session. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra, along with Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith, also sat out or had limited participation due to various injuries. Pass rusher Patrick Johnson, dealing with a lower leg contusion, was restricted in his involvement.
Positional Battles
In the ongoing battle for the starting right guard position, Mekhi Becton emerged as the current front-runner. Despite showing signs of physical strain during the session, even vomiting on field, Becton’s resilience was on display as he neither left the field nor missed any plays.
Avonte Maddox was seen starting alongside Reed Blankenship in place of Gardner-Johnson. Additionally, James Bradberry stepped in to receive first-team reps at the safety position, adapting well in the role. At linebacker, Zack Baun and Devin White held the starting positions, while Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. rotated with the second team, with Dean occasionally featuring in first-team scenarios as well.
Defensive Back Dynamics
In the secondary, Isaiah Rodgers lined up opposite Darius Slay at cornerback, with Kelee Ringo also joining the first-team reps. Quinyon Mitchell's versatile performance saw him take on duties in the slot position.
Overall, the competitive energy and depth within the squad were palpable, as the Philadelphia Eagles showed glimpses of their potential and readiness for the challenges ahead. With their focus now shifting to the upcoming practice with the New England Patriots, the team’s progress continues to build anticipation for the upcoming season.