It Was All Yellow?

PHILADELPHIA — Amid overcast conditions and light drizzle early, the Eagles held another highly efficient practice, the seventh of the summer.

The session – categorized as “yellow,” which means no pads, moderate contact – clocked in around 90 minutes, filling the notebook with plenty of takeaways. It marked the first of four consecutive practices this week.

In injury news, OL Mekhi Becton (illness), LB Oren Burks (knee), WR Parris Campbell (groin), S Mekhi Garner (hamstring), CB Eli Ricks (illness), LB Brandon Smith (concussion) and G Tyler Steen (ankle) didn’t practice, while CB Josh Jobe (concussion) was limited.

RG Landon Dickerson (knee) returned to practice after sitting out Thursday.

Veteran OL Brett Toth filled in for Becton at right guard. Rookie OG Trevor Keegan rotated in at left guard with the first-team, presumably not to overload Dickerson.

“[Dickerson’s] probably getting annoyed with me so far.” Keegan joked after practice. “I ask a question almost, like, every single drive. He was so willing to help me out. He was in this position before.

“Even all the older guys, I’ll ask them questions and they’re helping me out as well. So, I appreciate them and I’m just trying to earn my strides and earn their respect as well.”

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: There was some physicality at Sunday’s “moderate” Eagles training camp practice.

Let’s get to the observations:

* While third-year LB Nakobe Dean has worked in with the first team and remains in the hunt for a starting job, Nick Sirianni perhaps provided some clarity before practice. When talking about toughness and physicality, Sirianni first mentioned S C.J. Gardner Johnson before apparently going out of his way to mention LB Zack Baun, calling the free-agent signing a “tough, tough dude” and citing his ability to play with great detail.

Baun, for his part, has opened every practice with the first team, opposite Devin White, and has had a good camp. When Dean has flashed, it’s largely been when coming downhill or as a blitzer. He hasn’t been as consistent in coverage, which continued Sunday morning.

* Strong showing today from rookie LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who garnered some first-team reps with White. While Trotter might lack speed and measurables compared to the others, his instincts and football IQ really stand out. On Thursday, he knifed through and eluded a block from Clemson teammate Will Shipley to “sack” QB Kenny Pickett.

Almost as if shot from a cannon, Trotter again stormed through for a would-be sack against Pickett, through the play was not blown dead, instead resulting in a tough snag from WR Joseph Ngata. Trotter also made a nice play against the run, immediately shutting it down.

* In general, the inside linebackers played with physicality. Trotter Jr. also tagged TE Grant Calcaterra after a catch, Baun shows good finish, and Ben Van Sumeren slipped through to blow up a RB Lew Nichols run and was fired up after play.

* Very active session for second-year DT Moro Ojomo, who spent much of the morning session in the backfield. Firing off the ball with quickness and aggression, Ojomo has also flashed violent hands. The Texas product flattened Pickett for a sack. One of my top picks for second-year player primed for a sophomore leap, Ojomo appears ready to step into a more prominent reserve role.

* The competition for the outside cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay still seems to be a two-person race between veteran Isaiah Rodgers and second-year CB Kelee Ringo. It’s anyone’s guess who has the edge. Rodgers opened with the first-team, making it four practices for Rodgers with that distinction and three for Ringo.

For now, I’m giving the nod to Rodgers, who again broke up multiple passes. His size might give him trouble against bigger wideouts — A.J. Brown skied over Rodgers to reel in a jump-ball in the left corner of the end zone — but Rodgers’ quickness, instincts and athleticism really stand out.

* With Parris Campbell (groin) out, WR Johnny Wilson, the Eagles’ rookie sixth-round pick, reaped the benefits. The 6-foot-6 wideout saw quite a bit of work with the first offense and continued to look more comfortable.

“Probably just my speed,” Wilson said of where he feels he’s improved most throughout camp. “My quickness, playing at a fast pace when I get out there. Kind of when I started, it was a lot of thinking for me. I couldn’t play as fast as I usually do.

“Got the playbook down and got comfortable with the routes and now it’s like, I could just fly out there. I could play fast and not as much thinking. So, that was a big thing for me.”

* Prior to Sunday, it’s been virtually radio silent on the CB Zech McPhearson front, as reps have been few and far between. But the  fourth-year CB, returning from an Achilles injury, logged a smattering of second-team reps. While notable, context is important, as Ricks and Jobe were non-participants. Veteran Parry Nickerson was another beneficiary of increased opportunities.

* After being leap-frogged by Grant Calcaterra for  the backup tight end spot, it seemed veteran C.J. Uzomah was a shoe-in for the No. 3 role. While that could end up coming to fruition, I’m not so certain. The enigmatic Albert Okwuegbunam has had a quiet camp, but second-year pro E.J. Jenkins could be a name to file away. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound pass-catcher — a converted wide receiver — corralled a couple of noteworthy catches from QB Tanner McKee and offers athleticism and upside. Keep an eye on his blocking — a point of emphasis for Jenkins this offseason — during exhibition play.

* I’ve written this plenty throughout camp, but wide WRs coach Aaron Moorehead confirmed this has been DeVonta Smith’s best training camp. Perhaps taken for granted at times, the wiry wideout has been tremendous through seven practices, smooth and technical with his route-running and catching everything that comes his way.

Smith again had a hand in what resulted in a highlight-reel play, hauling in a QB Jalen Hurts rainbow down the right sideline despite sticky coverage from CB Tyler Hall. Of all the weapons on a high-powered Eagles offense, Smith might end up posting the best season of them all.

* As mentioned, Sunday’s practice was categorized as “yellow,” but the intensity levels were noticeably ratcheted up, as evidenced by some of the collisions. Trotter Jr. accounted for a handful as well as the safeties as a collective, but the most surprising might have been newly converted S James Bradberry, who provided a tap against WR Britain Covey on a Pickett pass that appeared to be thrown slightly behind target. We’ll see if the competitiveness carries over to Monday. Bradberry immediately helped Covey up after the play.

* In all likelihood, Pickett is firmly entrenched as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback. But second-year QB Tanner McKee has also received work with the second team of late, seemingly maximizing his opportunities. In addition to a pair of decisive timing throws to Jenkins, McKee lifted a perfect touch pass to WR Jacob Harris down the left sideline between Rodgers and Gardner-Johnson for his best throw of the day.

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