The Philadelphia Eagles reconvened at the NovaCare Complex on Sunday for an 89-minute practice session marked by intensity and competition. This practice served as a precursor to their imminent joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
One of the standout moments came during the one-on-one drills, where wide receiver Devonta Smith and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell faced off in a trio of battles. Smith caught a pass in the first round, but Mitchell showcased his defensive prowess by forcing incompletions in the subsequent rounds. This matchup underscored the high level of competition driving the Eagles' preparation.
Another notable duel saw safety Andre Sam outperform wide receiver Ainias Smith, solidifying his reputation in the secondary. Meanwhile, Johnny Wilson received significant snaps at the WR3 position and capitalized on the opportunity, catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over the formidable Mitchell. Wilson's consistent performance is making a strong case for his position on the final roster.
Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown delivered one of the highlights of the practice. Brown skillfully caught a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone, celebrating his achievement by exuberantly kicking the ball onto the neighboring practice field. When faced with his team’s celebrations, Brown responded spiritedly with a resounding “Hell no!”
On the defensive side, Jalyx Hunt had an outstanding session. Hunt managed to block a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11 drills and later played a crucial role in blocking a punt during the special teams portion. His performance received high praise from his coach, Vic Fangio, who noted, "Jalyx Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp."
The linebackers also had their moments. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. blitzed Kenny Pickett, disrupting the play and forcing an incompletion. Trotter's defensive versatility was on display as he maintained solid pass coverage against the highly skilled Saquon Barkley. These plays highlighted the depth and readiness of the Eagles' linebacker corps.
However, not all news from the practice was positive. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third consecutive practice due to a shoulder injury, while the linebacker Oren Burks missed his tenth straight session. Wide receiver Parris Campbell was absent for a fourth day in a row, and tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra were sidelined due to injuries. The team’s medical staff will undoubtedly have their work cut out ensuring these players return to full health ahead of the season.
Several players had limited participation. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith were on limited snaps, while pass rusher Patrick Johnson was dealing with a lower leg contusion. Despite vomiting during practice, Mekhi Becton remained a contender for the starting right guard position and did not miss any plays. His resilience will be an essential asset to the team.
In Gardner-Johnson's absence, Avonte Maddox stepped up to start alongside Reed Blankenship, while James Bradberry received first-team reps at the safety position. The linebacker lineup saw Zack Baun and Devin White taking starting positions, with Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. providing depth with second-team reps—Dean also seeing action with the first team.
Isaiah Rodgers started opposite Darius Slay at cornerback, and Kelee Ringo also received first-team reps. Quinyon Mitchell showcased his versatility by playing in the slot position at cornerback, emphasizing the squad's depth and adaptability.
Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson primarily took the WR3 snaps, with Covey solidifying his role as a wideout and punt returner. Wilson, meanwhile, continued his impressive run, establishing a strong case for his roster spot.
The practice reflected the competitive spirit and depth within the squad. The Eagles are clearly building momentum and anticipation for the upcoming season, ready to showcase their talent and hard work.