The Eagles kicked off their fully padded practice in South Philadelphia amidst soaring temperatures, which reached the 90s with a “feels like” reading pushing close to 100 degrees. Clocking in at nearly two hours, this session included a full array of activities from stretching and individual drills to intense 11-on-11 work, with a particular focus on the red zone. After a walkthrough on Wednesday, the Eagles will hit the field again on Thursday and Friday.
Let’s dive into the observations from Day 5 of camp.
- Injury Report:
- Did Not Practice: Zach Baun (back contusion), Nolan Smith (concussion), DeVonta Smith (back tightness), Danny Gray (finger), Andrew Mukuba (shoulder).
- Limited Participation: Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), Jalen Carter (shoulder), Cam Jurgens (back), Smael Mondon (illness). It’s worth noting that Baun and Smith were new additions to the injury list on Tuesday, shedding light on their limited reps from Monday’s practice. Receiver Terrace Marshall also left the practice early due to a leg injury, and his status for Thursday’s session remains uncertain. Adding a touch of nostalgia, three champions from Super Bowl LII—Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, and Rodney McLeod—were present on the sidelines, along with former Raiders GM Mike Mayock.
- Depth Chart Highlights:
- Tyler Steen held down the first-team right guard position for the fifth consecutive day.
- With DeVonta Smith sidelined, second-year receivers Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson stepped up, gaining valuable first-team reps.
- The battle for depth continued on the right side of the line as Darian Kinnard and Matt Pryor split reps at right guard and right tackle, while rookie Myles Hinton received his first second-team snaps at left tackle.
- Defensive back Kelee Ringo paired with Quinyon Mitchell on the first team for the first time since Day 1, while Adoree’ Jackson also rotated in.
- Cooper DeJean maintained his first-team safety role alongside Reed Blankenship, with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie Jihaad Campbell leading the way in linebacker position battles.
- As the Eagles continued their preparations, the expected starting linebacker duo of Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean (currently on the PUP list) watched from the sidelines. Nonetheless, that didn’t stop established and rising players from showing off their skills. Campbell made a statement by breaking up a pass towards Dallas Goedert in the flat, leaving his impact felt with a hard hit. His aggression is a double-edged sword, but it adds a dynamic edge to the defense. Trotter also showcased impressive coverage skills against Goedert on a fade route, proving he can rise to the challenge when matched against one of the top tight ends in the league. Both Campbell and Trotter are currently vying for a starting spot alongside Baun.
- On the whole, it was a day for the defense, as they held strong in the condensed confines of the red zone. The offense struggled with some pre-snap penalties, which highlighted some of the growing pains that come with a competitive camp atmosphere. However, the first-team offense did have its moments, particularly during a situational period when Jalen Hurts led a 2-point conversion attempt that culminated in Saquon Barkley powering through the line for a score—Jordan Mailata celebrated enthusiastically, signaling the touchdown.
- Speaking of Saquon Barkley, he dazzled fans with a remarkable one-handed catch that turned heads around the field. Known for his versatility, it’s moments like these that showcase the caliber of play Barkley is capable of, even if he occasionally struggles with consistency in securing the ball.
- Meanwhile, Elijah Cooks delivered the day’s offensive highlight with an exceptional catch in the back of the end zone, showcasing both athleticism and precision. His ability to toe-tap just before going out of bounds has him trending as the potential camp darling as he continually makes a case for a roster spot after a previous stint with the Jaguars.
- In the 1-on-1s between receivers and cornerbacks, Ainias Smith continued to impress by shaking off Cooper DeJean for significant gains, showcasing his potential despite limited success in team drills. Ringo flashed his potential with cover work against Terrace Marshall and the ever-reliable A.J. Brown also made some great catches, even in tight coverage.
- Safeties were in the mix, too, with Tristin McCollum making a forceful play to dislodge the ball from Darius Cooper. Reed Blankenship showcased his renowned peanut punch technique, knocking the ball free from A.J. Dillon, eliciting cheers as he celebrated the play.
- Defensively, Josh Uche got some first-team looks and made an impact against Darian Kinnard, posting a “sack” during second-team drills. Uche’s performance has stood out, and he seems to be separating himself from fellow free agent addition Azeez Ojulari.
- Wrapping things up with some final notes: Kelee Ringo displayed resilience by making a tackle after navigating through a pick, while Eli Ricks had a standout pass breakup. There were some tough days for Adoree’ Jackson, who faced penalties and a hard collision that seemed to frustrate him. Conversely, rookie running back Montrell Johnson flashed his speed, and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson tossed a strong touchdown pass to ShunDerrick Powell in the red zone for the second straight day. Jake Elliott was solid, converting 5 of 6 field goal attempts early on.
Finally, while Jalen Carter continues to focus on his recovery, it’s encouraging to see him take an active leadership role, supporting his teammates during drills and emphasizing team spirit despite not yet participating in team drills. His presence is a good sign of what’s to come as he works to get back onto the field.
