Philadelphia Eagles: Sunday’s Practice Highlights
Sunday’s practice at the NovaCare Complex was a high-energy, competitive session for the Philadelphia Eagles, clocking in at just 89 minutes. The team is gearing up for an anticipated joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week, showcasing both emerging talents and returning veterans.
Player Showdowns
One of the standout moments of the day came from the three one-on-one battles between cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and wide receiver Devonta Smith. Smith, showing his evasive route running, caught a pass in the first round of their duel. However, Mitchell responded with impressive defensive agility, forcing incompletions in the next two rounds.
Additionally, safety Andre Sam outshined wide receiver Ainias Smith in their one-on-one drill, displaying exceptional coverage skills that will be crucial for the Eagles’ secondary this season.
Offensive Plays of the Day
The offense had its moments of glory as well. Johnny Wilson, who took a majority of WR3 snaps, made a significant impact by catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone, leaving Quinyon Mitchell trailing. Wilson, continuing to solidify his roster spot, shared WR3 duties with Britain Covey, who also serves as a reliable punt returner.
Veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown had a memorable highlight when he caught a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone. Brown celebrated exuberantly by kicking or punting the ball onto the neighboring practice field, expressing his excitement with a spirited "Hell no!" to the onlookers’ celebrations.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side, Jalyx Hunt had a stellar performance, making his presence felt during the 11-on-11 drills. Hunt batted down a pass from Jalen Hurts and participated in blocking a punt during the special teams portion of the practice. Defensive coach Vic Fangio remarked that "Jalyx Hunt might have had his best practice of the camp," signaling high expectations for the defensive rookie.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also had a productive day, blitzing quarterback Kenny Pickett to force an incompletion and maintaining solid pass coverage against star running back Saquon Barkley. Trotter, along with Nakobe Dean, received second-team reps at linebacker but also saw some action with the first team, highlighting the depth of the Eagles’ linebacker corps.
Injury Updates
Injuries continued to loom over the practice sessions. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third straight practice due to a shoulder injury, while linebacker Oren Burks remained sidelined for his 10th consecutive practice. Wide receiver Parris Campbell, tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam, and Grant Calcaterra were also absent due to injuries. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith had limited participation, as did pass rusher Patrick Johnson, who is dealing with a lower leg contusion.
Mekhi Becton, the frontrunner for the starting right guard position, experienced a minor setback as he threw up during practice but impressively did not miss any plays.
Starting Lineup and Rotations
There were notable shifts and rotations in the starting lineup. With Gardner-Johnson out, Avonte Maddox started alongside Reed Blankenship, and James Bradberry received first-team reps at the safety position. Meanwhile, Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo took first-team reps at cornerback, with Quinyon Mitchell playing in the slot.
At linebacker, Zack Baun and Devin White maintained their starting spots, while Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. rotated in with the second team but showed potential for more significant roles. The depth and competitive spirit within the Eagles’ squad were evident, providing a positive outlook as they build momentum for the upcoming season.
The session reflected not only the intensity and depth of the Eagles’ roster but also the burgeoning anticipation for what the season holds. With their eyes set on Foxborough, the Eagles are primed and ready to showcase their capabilities in the joint practice with the Patriots.