This week, the Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up for the final stretch of their training camp at the NovaCare Complex, with only three practices remaining before the decisive preseason finale. As roster cuts loom next Tuesday, the competition has reached a fever pitch.
Key Absences and Returns
The practice on Tuesday lasted for exactly 1-hour and 47 minutes, and several absences were particularly notable. Missing from the field were OL Matt Hennessy, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, S Caden Sterns, WR John Ross, OL Tyler Steen, and WR Johnny Wilson. In a positive development, DT Gabe Hall, TE E.J. Jenkins, WR Joseph Ngata, and DT Moro Ojomo made their way back to practice, bolstering the team’s depth.
Standouts and Injuries
The session saw Guard Mekhi Becton stepping up to take first-team reps at right guard, an important move given the intensity of the drills. On the other hand, Guard Landon Dickerson showed resilience by returning to practice without missing any time after appearing to favor his knee on Sunday. Running back Saquon Barkley had to cut his participation short, missing the final period of team drills to address lower back issues. Tight end Dallas Goedert was active during individual drills but refrained from participating in the team portions.
High-Pressure Scenarios
Some players seized the opportunity to shine. Wide receiver Ainias Smith showcased exceptional skill by outmaneuvering both safety Avonte Maddox and cornerback Eli Ricks on consecutive reps. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was also in the spotlight, disrupting a sweep to Barkley and forcing an incompletion against DeVonta Smith. Mitchell’s awareness prompted him to comment, “That's a route right there.”
Conversely, cornerback Cooper DeJean had mixed results, allowing an easy completion to Britain Covey on one play and then being beaten by Covey on another. Defensive back Parry Nickerson nearly intercepted Jalen Hurts due to a communication mishap with A.J. Brown, adding another layer of intrigue to the practice session.
Quarterbacks and Defensive Pressures
Quarterback Tanner McKee displayed precision in a 1-on-1 drill, completing a pass to Jacob Harris against Eli Ricks and connecting with E.J. Jenkins on a deep pass. Meanwhile, Julian Okwara was a force on defense, pressuring Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett into an incompletion during 11-on-11s, and again later in practice, causing a throwaway.
Offensive Line Dynamics
The offensive line dynamics were another focal point. Mekhi Becton set the tone with his contributions to the first team, while Fred Johnson’s outstanding day was highlighted by his significant impact in both run blocking and pass protection. Johnson was particularly dominant, as evidenced by his control over Eli Ricks during a running play.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni was vocal in his encouragement, particularly acknowledging Jenkins' efforts with a congratulatory “Good job, E.J.”
With each passing day, the atmosphere at the NovaCare Complex grows more electric. The players are aware that every rep and every drill could be the difference between making the final roster and receiving the dreaded cut. As the clock ticks down, the Philadelphia Eagles continue to fine-tune their squad, aiming to enter the season with precision and prowess.