The Philadelphia Eagles took to the NovaCare Complex on Sunday for an intense practice session that lasted 89 minutes, filled with competitive drills and crucial updates on player statuses. The team prepared rigorously ahead of their joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
One-on-One Battles: Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs
The practice saw spirited one-on-one battles between wide receivers and defensive backs. Quinyon Mitchell and Devonta Smith engaged in three fierce encounters. Smith easily separated and caught a pass in the first round, but Mitchell responded impressively, forcing incompletions in the next two rounds to win the duel 2-1. On another notable play, safety Andre Sam outperformed wide receiver Ainias Smith in a one-on-one drill, showcasing the competitive edge throughout the session.
Offensive and Defensive Highlights
Tight ends, wide receivers, and linebackers also had standout moments. Johnny Wilson received a majority of WR3 snaps and ended practice on a high note by catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over Quinyon Mitchell. Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown caught a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone, celebrating exuberantly by kicking or punting the ball onto the neighboring practice field, responding with a spirited “Hell no!” to celebrations.
Defensively, Jalyx Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp, as noted by Vic Fangio. Hunt batted down a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11s and played a part in a blocked punt during the special teams portion of practice. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also made his presence felt, blitzing Kenny Pickett to force an incompletion and maintaining solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley.
Injury Updates
As the Eagles’ medical staff continues to monitor recovery timelines, several key players missed Sunday’s practice. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, sidelined with a shoulder injury, missed his third straight session. Linebacker Oren Burks and wide receiver Parris Campbell remained unavailable, marking their 10th and fourth consecutive misses, respectively. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra also did not participate due to their respective injuries.
However, there were some positive updates. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith were upgraded to limited participation, signaling progress in their recoveries. Pass rusher Patrick Johnson, dealing with a lower leg contusion, was also limited.
Position Battles and Depth Chart Developments
The Eagles’ depth chart has seen some notable developments. Mekhi Becton is currently the front-runner for the starting right guard position, although he experienced an unfortunate incident during practice. After consuming bacon and eggs too close to the session, Becton threw up but admirably did not miss any plays following the episode. On the receiving end, Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson primarily occupied WR3 snaps. Covey is firmly established as a wideout and punt returner, while Wilson is on track for a roster spot. In the safety positions, Avonte Maddox started alongside Reed Blankenship in Gardner-Johnson’s absence, with James Bradberry mixing in and getting first-team reps.
In the linebacker corps, Zack Baun and Devin White held the starting positions, while Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. received second-team reps, with Dean also seeing some action with the first team. At cornerback, Isaiah Rodgers started opposite Darius Slay, with Kelee Ringo also getting first-team looks, and Quinyon Mitchell manning the slot.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles’ practice provided a vivid snapshot of the team’s current form, emphasizing the competitive spirit and depth within the squad as they gear up for their joint practice with the Patriots. With standout individual performances and progress in injury recoveries, Philadelphia’s training camp continues to build momentum and anticipation for the upcoming season.