The Philadelphia Eagles held an 89-minute practice session at the NovaCare Complex on Sunday, showcasing a mix of competitive drills and player updates as they gear up for a joint practice with the New England Patriots in Foxborough later this week.
One of the key highlights of the practice was the series of one-on-one battles between Quinyon Mitchell and Devonta Smith. Smith secured a catch in the first round, but Mitchell impressed by forcing incompletions in the subsequent rounds. Meanwhile, safety Andre Sam demonstrated his prowess by outperforming wide receiver Ainias Smith in a one-on-one drill.
Johnny Wilson made a significant impact, receiving the majority of WR3 snaps and catching a Jalen Hurts pass in the back corner of the end zone over Mitchell. Notably, veteran wide receiver A.J. Brown caught a touchdown pass over two defenders in the red zone, celebrating exuberantly by kicking the ball onto the neighboring practice field and responding to the exuberance with a spirited “Hell no!”
Defensive player Jalyx Hunt stood out by batting down a Jalen Hurts pass during the 11-on-11 drills and contributing to a blocked punt during the special teams portion of the practice. His performance drew praise, with Vic Fangio remarking that Hunt “might have had his best practice of the camp.”
In other action, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. impressed by blitzing Kenny Pickett to force an incompletion and maintaining solid pass coverage on Saquon Barkley. However, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson missed his third straight practice due to a shoulder injury. The Eagles also saw several other absences, including linebacker Oren Burks, who missed his 10th consecutive practice, and wide receiver Parris Campbell, who missed his fourth consecutive session. Tight ends Albert Okwuegbunam and Grant Calcaterra were also sidelined with injuries.
Some players had limited participation due to injuries. Safety Mekhi Garner and linebacker Brandon Smith were among them, along with pass rusher Patrick Johnson, who is dealing with a lower leg contusion. Despite throwing up during practice, Mekhi Becton, the current front-runner for the starting right guard position, did not miss any plays.
The competition for roster spots and starting positions remains fierce. Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson primarily occupied WR3 snaps, with Covey established as a wideout and punt returner. Wilson is on track for a roster spot, demonstrating his potential during practice.
The practice showcased the depth within the Eagles' squad, with several players taking on key roles in the absence of injured teammates. Avonte Maddox started alongside Reed Blankenship in Gardner-Johnson’s absence, while James Bradberry received first-team reps at the safety position. At linebacker, Zack Baun and Devin White held the starting positions, with Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. receiving second-team reps. Dean also saw some action with the first team.
The cornerback position saw Isaiah Rodgers starting opposite Darius Slay, with Kelee Ringo also receiving first-team reps. Quinyon Mitchell played in the slot position, further emphasizing the competitive spirit within the team.
As the Eagles continue to build momentum and anticipation for the upcoming season, the practice session reflected the team’s commitment to competition and depth. With key players returning to health and new talent emerging, the Eagles are poised for a promising season ahead.