After a rainy start to the weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles were greeted by a sunny Sunday morning at the NovaCare Complex, a perfect setting for what would be one of their last practices of the training camp. As the team prepares for their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, both optimism and concerns surround the camp.
During a practice session that lasted an hour and 53 minutes, the players were put through a series of team drills and 1-on-1 battles. Among the standout performers was center Cam Jurgens, who successfully held off a bull rush from defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Meanwhile, defensive linemen Jalen Carter, Thomas Booker IV, and Milton Williams showcased their skills in various drills. Carter managed to beat right tackle Darian Kinnard, Booker outpaced Anim Dankwah, and Williams bulldozed over Gottlieb Ayedze.
However, all was not without concern. Guard Landon Dickerson appeared to favor his knee throughout much of the practice but did not miss any team drill snaps. Despite a noticeable limp, he successfully held off Milton Williams in one of the reps. Meanwhile, Mekhi Becton left practice with what appeared to be a right leg injury, and Tyler Steen remained sidelined with an ankle injury, leading to Brett Toth stepping in for first-team right guard responsibilities.
Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham had a strong showing, beating guard Trevor Keegan off the edge. Thomas Booker continued his impressive form by winning all three of his 1-on-1 matchups. Several players, such as Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, and Lane Johnson, did not participate in the practice, raising questions about their readiness for the upcoming game.
The practice wasn't as productive for some players, especially on the offensive side. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee struggled, throwing two interceptions. Ben VanSumeren picked off McKee during the 11-on-11 team period, while Parry Nickerson intercepted another of McKee's passes, returning it 95 yards for a touchdown. On the defensive front, pass breakups were made by Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., with Trotter achieving consecutive pass breakups. Zech McPhearson, Brandon Smith, and Terrell Lewis also contributed with breakups.
Josh Sweat delivered an impressive defensive performance, recording sacks on three consecutive plays. The defensive unit was certainly a force, but the offense had its moments too. Saquon Barkley managed to score a touchdown through the A gap during a red zone period, offering a glimpse of the offensive potential when everything clicks. Reflecting on the day's events, Nakobe Dean declared, "I'm not back. I'm better."
Notably, Jalen Hurts continued his stellar run through training camp, not having thrown any interceptions through 14 practices. His poise and precision under center are promising as the team readies itself for regular season action. Yet, there was a sense of unease among some players, as one player commented on the practice session saying, "This wasn't a good day for the offense."
As the Eagles wrapped up their practice, the atmosphere was a mix of hope and some apprehension. The road ahead is clear: both the offense and defense need to sharpen their skills as they head into a final week filled with practices. Observations from the training camp underscore a team on the cusp of excellence, ready to harness its full potential come game day. Saquon Barkley summarized the sentiment best: "When the Eagles unleash Barkley, this offense should be dangerous on Sundays."