After a rainy start to the weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles were greeted by a radiant Sunday morning at the NovaCare Complex, setting the stage for the final leg of their training camp journey.
The practice session, which lasted one hour and 53 minutes, featured an array of team drills and 1-on-1 battles, showcasing the mettle of players fighting for roster spots and starting roles. In the trenches, the Eagles' line battles were particularly ferocious.
Center Cam Jurgens stood his ground impressively against a bull rush from Jordan Davis, while emerging talent Jalen Carter showcased his prowess by beating right tackle Darian Kinnard. Thomas Booker IV and Milton Williams were similarly impactful in their drills, with Booker blowing past Anim Dankwah and Williams bulldozing over Gottlieb Ayedze.
Notable Performances
Despite favoring his knee and limping through much of the practice, guard Landon Dickerson managed to hold off Milton Williams during one rep and didn't miss any team drill snaps. Conversely, the Eagles suffered a blow with Mekhi Becton leaving practice due to what appeared to be a right leg injury. Tyler Steen remained sidelined with an ankle injury, pushing Brett Toth into the first-team right guard spot in Steen's absence.
Veteran edge rusher Brandon Graham demonstrated his expertise, beating guard Trevor Keegan off the edge, while Thomas Booker enjoyed a flawless run, going 3-for-3 in his 1-on-1 matchups. Other players, including Gabe Hall, Matt Hennessy, E.J. Jenkins, and Lane Johnson, did not participate and their absence was noticeable.
Defensive Dominance
Defense reigned supreme during this practice session, particularly in the secondary. Nakobe Dean delivered a powerful hit to DeVonta Smith on a pass in the flat, embodying his assertive declaration, "I'm not back. I'm better."
Rookie quarterback Tanner McKee struggled, throwing two interceptions, one of which was picked off by Ben VanSumeren during the 11-on-11 team period. Parry Nickerson seized another of McKee's errant passes and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown.
The secondary's excellence was not limited to interceptions. Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Zech McPhearson, Brandon Smith, and Terrell Lewis all contributed with pass breakups. Trotter Jr. was notably effective, recording consecutive breakups, proving his agility and anticipation.
Perhaps the most imposing defensive performance came from Josh Sweat, who recorded sacks on three consecutive plays, providing a disruptive presence that the offensive line struggled to contain.
Offensive Struggles
It wasn't an ideal day for the offense, as acknowledged by one player who noted, "This wasn't a good day for the offense." However, there were glimmers of hope. Saquon Barkley found the end zone through the A gap during a red zone period, signaling the potential threat he poses.
Eagles fans can also take solace in the consistency of Jalen Hurts, who has impressively avoided throwing any interceptions through 14 practices, providing a stabilizing presence under center.
Looking Ahead
As the Eagles approach their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings, both the offense and defense will be looking to sharpen their skills. This week of practice will be crucial for the team to fine-tune their strategies, mitigate injuries, and solidify their roster decisions.
The practice wrapped up with a blend of optimism and some nervous anticipation. With dynamic players on both sides of the ball and a few injury concerns to monitor, the Eagles appear focused on addressing their weaknesses while capitalizing on their strengths. As Saquon Barkley suggests, "When the Eagles unleash Barkley, this offense should be dangerous on Sundays."