And They’re Off!

PHILADELPHIA  – Under largely overcast and humid conditions, the Eagles took the practice field Wednesday for the first time this summer, commencing the fourth season under the leadership of head coach Nick Sirianni.

The practice, which covered about 70 minutes, was efficient, providing a glimpse into what can be expected with the team’s reconfigured personnel and new-look coaching staff.

The practice had its standard 7 on 7s and full-team drills but the pads haven’t yet come out as the team was in shorts and shells.

Prior to practice, the Eagles placed DB Cooper DeJean, T Gottlieb Ayedze and WR Shaq Davis on the Non-Football Injury List. Safety Sydney Brown was placed on the Active Physically Unable to Perform List.

Also, G Landon Dickerson (toe laceration) and OL Brett Toth (hamstring) were non-participants, considered day-to-day.

I also noticed LB Oren Burks on the sideline during team drills. Veteran OG/OT Mekhi Becton again received first-team reps in the absence of Dickerson. Becton, a tackle by trade, experimented at the position during spring practices.

ITB PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES: The Eagles kicked off another start of training camp Wednesday under overcast skies and humid conditions.

Let’s get on with the observations:

* All eyes were on RB Saquon Barkley, and the veteran running back didn’t disappoint. Barkley carried the football and looked springy and fluid as a receiver out of the backfield. At one point, he even fielded a shovel pass. If the opening practice provided any indication of how Barkley will be utilized, we can expect to see a multifaceted weapon.

* Not sure there’s ever been a clear-cut winner in a position battle on the first day of camp, but it is glaringly apparent that veteran Parris Campbell is firmly entrenched in the role behind starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. While Campbell didn’t have an opportunity to showcase his long speed, he was the recipient of several stop-and-go routes from quarterback Jalen Hurts. Campbell’s early rapport with Hurts is noteworthy, as it not only carries over from the spring, but also breaks the trend for chemistry typically taking time with new weapons. Campbell’s savvy particularly appeared to give some of the younger Eagles corners some trouble.

* Two of the more memorable plays this morning came courtesy of the tight ends, where Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra each found themselves on the receiving end of long completions. Goedert’s touchdown reception occurred down the left sideline where CB Kelee Ringo was trailing, and it appeared safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was late getting over. As for Calcaterra, who looked sharp throughout, the third-year tight end reeled in a Kenny Pickett throw amid tight coverage from rookie CB Quinyon Mitchell. In addition, TE E.J. Jenkins caught my eye with a couple of nice catches, particularly on one over the middle with LB Brandon Smith in coverage. The battle for backup TE will be one to monitor.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles third-year LB Nakobe Dean hopes to reclaim his starting role after an injury plagued 2023.

• Among the more marquee training camp competitions will be at linebacker, where free-agent addition Zack Baun will contend with third-year holdover Nakobe Dean. For his part, Baun, who garnered the vast majority of first-team reps during spring practices, opened as the first-team linebacker opposite Devin White during team drills. While Baun’s coverage acumen will be put to the test, the veteran came up with a nice pass breakup on a throw to TE C.J. Uzomah over the middle. Dean also received some first-team reps, showing no ill-effects of the foot injuries that derailed his second season. Both players were active and around the ball.

* One of my most pertinent takeaways was just how often new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio mixed-and-matched his personnel. For perspective, Quinyon Mitchell, at one point, repped inside in addition to both outside cornerback positions. The Eagles also shuffled their linebacking pairings and rotated Ringo and Rodgers at outside cornerback opposite Slay. The shuffling is worth watching, as the coaching staff continues to gauge the strength and versatility of its personnel to put them in the best positions to be successful.

* Monitoring the safety position underscores just how lean the Eagles are at the position, especially without Brown. The second-team safeties were James Bradberry, a converted CB transitioning to the position, and Tristin McCollum, a second-year player who appeared in three regular season games a season ago. Perhaps Bradberry’s chances of making the roster are more legitimate than initially expected, but if the Eagles were to seek an upgrade at a particular position, safety would make some sense.

* Working at punt returner were (in order): WR Britain Covey, WR Ainias Smith, CB Isaiah Rodgers and WR John Ross. The rookie Smith, who struggled with some muffed punts in OTAs, fielded his punts cleanly.

* Without Dickerson or Toth – who has repped at center – the second-string offensive line was comprised of (L-R): Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Matt Hennessy, Darian Kinnard and Max Scharping.

* The fact that rookie second-round DB Cooper DeJean will be shelved for the next three weeks presents an opportunity for Tyler Hall to undertake an extended audition. While the injury relegates DeJean to taking mental reps and maybe broadens the learning curve, it won’t stop the Eagles from exercising caution with their approach in working him back. As for Hall, who has appeared in 31 games (6 starts), he gives the Eagles some experience and tenacity at a position where reps may have otherwise been scarce. The door has now opened for Hall to seize his opportunity.

* Very efficient, workmanlike performance from Hurts and the Eagles’ offense. While the opening practice largely lacked for explosive plays, it wasn’t devoid of decisive, accurate throws from Jalen Hurts, who kept the offense on schedule and made good decisions. It’s difficult to gauge in one practice, but Hurts appears to have hit the ground running following the spring installation period.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.