As the Philadelphia Eagles approach the culmination of their training camp at the NovaCare Complex, the tempo and anticipation continue to reach new heights. With only three consecutive practices left before their final preseason bout, the squad is zeroing in on making those invaluable last impressions.
Roster Cuts Looming
Tuesday’s practice, timed precisely at 1-hour and 47-minutes, was marked by notable player absences. Missing in action were OL Matt Hennessy, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, S Caden Sterns, WR John Ross, OL Tyler Steen, and WR Johnny Wilson. Conversely, the Eagles regained some key contributors. DT Gabe Hall, TE E.J. Jenkins, WR Joseph Ngata, and DT Moro Ojomo all returned to the field, potentially influencing next Tuesday's roster decisions.
Player Moves and Key Moments
The practice session featured Guard Mekhi Becton stepping up to first-team reps at right guard. His partner on the offensive line, Landon Dickerson, displayed remarkable resilience. Despite favoring his knee in a recent practice, Dickerson was back on the field without missing a beat.
Running back Saquon Barkley found himself sidelined during the final period of team drills to attend to his lower back. Meanwhile, tight end Dallas Goedert participated in the individual period but was a spectator in the team drills.
Standout Performances
In the skill player matchups, WR Ainias Smith had a standout performance, besting both safety Avonte Maddox and cornerback Eli Ricks on consecutive reps. On the defensive side, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had an impactful day, highlighted by a forced incompletion against DeVonta Smith and an effective disruption of a sweep to Barkley. Mitchell’s confidence was evident as he articulated, "That's a route right there."
Cornerback Cooper DeJean experienced mixed results. He allowed an easy completion to WR Britain Covey and was later beaten by Covey in another play. Defensive back Parry Nickerson nearly made a big play, almost intercepting a pass from Jalen Hurts due to a miscommunication with A.J. Brown.
Quarterbacks and Pressure
Among the quarterbacks, Tanner McKee had a notable outing. He connected with Jacob Harris in a 1-on-1 drill against Eli Ricks and later found E.J. Jenkins on a deep pass. Not to be outdone, Julian Okwara made his presence felt during team drills. Okwara forced Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett to scramble right, leading to an incompletion, and later generated another significant pressure that resulted in a throwaway.
Offensive Line Strength
The offensive line appeared formidable. Led by Mekhi Becton taking first-team reps, and Fred Johnson having a standout practice. Johnson impressed in both run blocking and pass protection, notably overpowering Eli Ricks during a running play. Head Coach Nick Sirianni didn't hesitate to acknowledge the effort, noting, "Good job, E.J."
As the Eagles wrap up their training camp, the focus sharpens on making the final roster decisions and preparing for the season ahead. Each practice session continues to be a proving ground for players vying for a coveted spot on the team. With only a few days left before significant cuts, every snap, drill, and play carries weight and significance in shaping the team’s future.