Eagles Show Depth and Determination in Sunday’s Practice
The Philadelphia Eagles took to the NovaCare Complex on Sunday, embarking on an 89-minute practice that highlighted both the competitive spirit and depth within their roster. With joint practices against the New England Patriots looming later this week, the Eagles are clearly focused on building momentum for the upcoming season.
Noteworthy Performances
Sunday's session was marked by intense one-on-one drills. Quinyon Mitchell and Devonta Smith squared off three times, with Smith securing a catch in the first round but Mitchell responding by forcing incompletions in the subsequent two battles. On the defensive side, safety Andre Sam triumphed over wide receiver Ainias Smith.
Among the wide receivers, Johnny Wilson continued to impress, taking the majority of WR3 snaps. His standout moment came when he caught a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over Quinyon Mitchell. Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown, always a force to be reckoned with, celebrated exuberantly after catching a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone, kicking or punting the ball onto the neighboring practice field and responding with a spirited “Hell no!” to celebrations.
Defensive Stalwarts
Defensively, Jalyx Hunt was a standout. In addition to batting down a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11s, he also contributed to blocking a punt during special teams drills. Defensive coach Vic Fangio highlighted Hunt’s performance, remarking, “Jalyx Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp.” Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was also formidable, blitzing Kenny Pickett to force an incompletion and maintaining solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley.
Roster Movements and Player Updates
However, it's not all triumphs on the roster front. Several players missed practice due to injuries. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was absent for the third consecutive time because of a shoulder injury. Linebacker Oren Burks missed his 10th consecutive practice, and wide receiver Parris Campbell sat out for the fourth straight session. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra also did not participate owing to injuries.
Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith had limited participation, while pass rusher Patrick Johnson was restricted by a lower leg contusion. Mekhi Becton, vying for the starting right guard position, raised some concerns when he threw up during practice, though he did not miss any plays.
Positional Battles
The absence of Gardner-Johnson saw Avonte Maddox starting alongside Reed Blankenship, with James Bradberry taking first-team reps at the safety position. The linebacker positions were held by Zack Baun and Devin White, though Nakobe Dean, who also saw action with the first team, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. received second-team reps. At cornerback, Isaiah Rodgers started opposite Darius Slay, with Kelee Ringo receiving first-team reps and Quinyon Mitchell playing in the slot.
Building Momentum
Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson both took WR3 snaps, with Covey established as a wideout and punt returner. Wilson’s consistent performance suggests he's on track for securing a roster spot. The sessions reflected the team’s overall depth and competitive endurance, with everyone's sights set firmly on the forthcoming season.
As the Eagles prepare for their joint practice with the Patriots, the intensity and focus displayed during Sunday’s workout set a strong precedent. The squad’s performance underscored their readiness to build on their progress and confront the challenges of the season ahead.