The Philadelphia Eagles took to the NovaCare Complex on Sunday for a practice session that spanned 89 minutes, showcasing a potent mix of competitive drills and essential player updates as they gear up for a joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
One-on-one drills were a highlight, featuring standout performances that underscored the depth of the Eagles' roster. Second-year cornerback Quinyon Mitchell faced off against wide receiver Devonta Smith in three intense battles. Smith secured a catch in the initial round, but Mitchell rebounded impressively, forcing incompletions in the subsequent encounters. Safety Andre Sam also left his mark, outperforming wide receiver Ainias Smith in their one-on-one matchups.
Wide receiver Johnny Wilson emerged as a focal point during the practice, receiving the lion’s share of WR3 snaps. His standout moment came when he hauled in a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone, besting Mitchell in the process. Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown provided another highlight, catching a touchdown pass in the red zone over two defenders and punctuating the play with a spirited celebration. Brown's exuberance was palpable as he punted the ball onto the neighboring practice field, emphatically responding with a “Hell no!” to any notion of toning down his celebrations.
On the defensive side, Jalyx Hunt showcased his prowess with multiple notable plays. He batted down a Jalen Hurts pass during 11-on-11 drills and was instrumental in blocking a punt during the special teams segment. Hunt’s performance did not go unnoticed, with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio remarking that it might have been Hunt’s best practice of the camp. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also made an impact, executing a blitz on quarterback Kenny Pickett to force an incompletion and maintaining tight coverage on running back Saquon Barkley during pass routes.
Key players were absent due to injuries, with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missing his third consecutive practice due to a shoulder injury. Linebacker Oren Burks sat out his 10th consecutive session, while wide receiver Parris Campbell missed his fourth. The tight end duo of Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra were also sidelined.
Several players had limited participation. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith took part in select drills, and pass rusher Patrick Johnson was limited due to a lower leg contusion. Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton appears to be the front-runner for the starting right guard position, despite an incident where he threw up during practice but managed to continue without missing any plays.
The Eagles’ depth was on full display with Britain Covey, who is established as a wideout and punt returner, and Johnny Wilson primarily occupying WR3 snaps. Wilson appears to be on track for a coveted roster spot.
The absence of Gardner-Johnson saw Avonte Maddox starting alongside Reed Blankenship at safety, while James Bradberry received first-team reps in the same position. Zack Baun and Devin White held down the starting linebacker roles, with Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. receiving second-team reps. Dean also saw some action with the first team, illustrating the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities.
The cornerback position featured Isaiah Rodgers starting opposite Darius Slay, while Kelee Ringo was given first-team reps as well. Quinyon Mitchell took on the slot corner role, further demonstrating the versatile defensive capabilities within the squad.
The practice session encapsulated the competitive spirit and depth that the Eagles are cultivating as they build momentum and anticipation for the upcoming season. With standout performances from both veterans and emerging talents, the team appears poised to make significant strides in their preparation for the challenges ahead.