Eagles Show Depth and Competitive Fire in Shortened Practice
The Philadelphia Eagles hit the field for a brisk 89-minute practice at the NovaCare Complex on Sunday, showcasing both their depth and competitive spirit ahead of a joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
As the Eagles continue to prepare for the season, wide receivers Devonta Smith and Quinyon Mitchell were in the spotlight during one-on-one battles. Smith caught a pass in the first round, but Mitchell responded fiercely, forcing incompletions in the next two rounds. Such spirited matchups set the tone for a competitive session, where rising talents and seasoned veterans alike looked to make their mark.
In another notable performance, safety Andre Sam outperformed wide receiver Ainias Smith in their lone one-on-one drill, further highlighting the depth of the Eagles' secondary. Meanwhile, Johnny Wilson made a strong case for significant playing time, receiving the majority of WR3 snaps and impressively catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over Mitchell.
Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown also shined, catching a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone. His celebration, described as exuberant, saw him kick or punt the ball onto the neighboring practice field, punctuated by a spirited “Hell no!”—an embodiment of the team's fiery competitive nature.
On the defensive side, Jalyx Hunt made his presence felt. During the 11-on-11 drills, Hunt batted down a Jalen Hurts pass and later participated in a punt block during special teams practice. Vic Fangio noted that Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp, a promising sign for the Eagles' defense as they gear up for the season.
Rounding out a strong defensive display, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. executed a well-timed blitz to force an incompletion from Kenny Pickett and maintained solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley. Trotter Jr. and Nakobe Dean received second-team reps at linebacker, though Dean also saw some action with the first team.
However, the practice was not without its absentees. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third straight practice due to a shoulder injury, while linebacker Oren Burks and wide receiver Parris Campbell continued their extended absences, missing their 10th and fourth consecutive practices, respectively. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra also did not participate due to injuries.
On the slightly more positive side of the injury spectrum, safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith had limited participation. Pass rusher Patrick Johnson managed to be part of the proceedings despite a lower leg contusion.
There were significant updates on positional battles as well. Mekhi Becton, striving for the starting right guard position, managed to stay active despite dealing with illness during practice. Meanwhile, Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson shared WR3 snaps, with Covey firmly established as a wideout and punt returner, and Wilson on track for a roster spot.
In Gardner-Johnson’s absence, Avonte Maddox started alongside Reed Blankenship, while James Bradberry took first-team reps at the safety position. Zack Baun and Devin White held down the starting linebacker spots. Isaiah Rodgers started opposite Darius Slay at cornerback, with Kelee Ringo also receiving first-team reps. Quinyon Mitchell made his contributions from the slot corner position.
Overall, the Eagles' practice reflected the team's depth and competitive atmosphere. Each drill, whether it was a one-on-one battle or a full-team play, amplified the sense of urgency and anticipation enveloping the squad as they build momentum for the upcoming season. With fiery displays of skill and determination, the Eagles look ready to take on the challenges ahead.