After enduring a rain-soaked start to the weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles welcomed a bright Sunday morning at the NovaCare Complex, signaling the final stretch of their training camp. The players took advantage of the favorable conditions, pushing themselves through a practice session that lasted nearly two hours. This critical period was marked by a mix of promising highlights and concerning setbacks.
Competition Intensifies in Drills
The practice was rigorous, featuring a series of team drills and 1-on-1 battles. Notably, Cam Jurgens showcased his strength by fending off a bull rush from Jordan Davis. The defensive drills highlighted the talents of players like Jalen Carter, Thomas Booker IV, and Milton Williams, each demonstrating their prowess. Carter succeeded in getting past right tackle Darian Kinnard, while Booker swiftly maneuvered around Anim Dankwah, and Williams overpowered Gottlieb Ayedze.
Injuries and Adaptations
However, the morning was not without its troubles. Guard Landon Dickerson appeared to favor his knee, limping through much of the practice, although he managed to hold his ground against Milton Williams in one rep and did not miss any team drill snaps. Meanwhile, Mekhi Becton exited the practice with a concerning right leg injury. Tyler Steen remained sidelined with an ankle issue, leading Brett Toth to step in for first-team right guard duties in Steen’s absence.
Defensive Brilliance
On the defensive side, Brandon Graham displayed his edge-rushing skills by beating guard Trevor Keegan. Thomas Booker went undefeated in his 1-on-1 matchups, going 3-for-3. The secondary also shone, with Nakobe Dean making a memorable hit on DeVonta Smith during a pass in the flat. Tanner McKee's practice was marred by two interceptions—one picked off by Ben VanSumeren during an 11-on-11 period, and another intercepted by Parry Nickerson, who returned it 95 yards for a touchdown.
In addition, several defenders, including Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Zech McPhearson, Brandon Smith, and Terrell Lewis, contributed to the defense’s strong showing with multiple pass breakups. Trotter Jr. impressed with consecutive breakups, while Josh Sweat delivered a dominating performance with three consecutive sacks.
Offensive Woes and Highlights
On offense, the day seemed less promising. "This wasn't a good day for the offense," admitted one player, reflecting the struggles faced throughout the practice. Yet, there were still moments of brilliance. Saquon Barkley demonstrated his dangerous potential by scoring a touchdown through the A gap during a red zone period.
Despite the offensive struggles, Jalen Hurts continued his spotless run, having thrown no interceptions through 14 practices—a reassuring sign for the Eagles' faithful. As Nakobe Dean succinctly put it, "I'm not back. I'm better."
Looking Ahead
With the preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on the horizon, the practice wrapped up with a mix of hope and some trepidation. Both the offense and defense will look to sharpen their skills in the upcoming week of practice, aiming to build on the positives and address the areas of concern that surfaced during the camp.
As the Eagles approach the culmination of their training camp, they remain optimistic yet vigilant, knowing that the lessons learned here will set the foundation for their performance in the season ahead.