Outside Perspective

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles on Tuesday held their fifth OTA session of the spring – second open to media – this time on the NovaCare Complex practices fields, under clear skies and near-perfect temperatures.

The session, which covered roughly 80 minutes, offered an abundance of takeaways as well as injury updates. We also heard for the first time this spring from DC Vic Fangio, who provided considerable insight to several notable storylines.

The next, and final, OTA practice will be Thursday, June 5.

Reporters will get another look at the 2025 Eagles next Tuesday, when the team holds a one-day mandatory minicamp.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles S Tristin McCollum works a drill at OTAs.

* Those who weren’t present for Tuesday’s session included: WR DeVonta Smith, WR Johnny Wilson, WR Elijah Cooks and TE E.J. Jenkins.

* Of the Eagles working their way back from injuries, EDGE Nolan Smith (triceps) appears to be nearing his return. The third-year pass-rusher believes he’ll be primed “to strike” as early as next week. C Cam Jurgens, recovering from offseason back surgery, was working off on a side field and was on the sideline during team drills. So was WR/RS Avery Williams (undisclosed), who wasn’t present during last week’s media-attended practice.

Newly signed OL Marcus Tate, wearing No. 75, was also off to the side.

FB Ben VanSumeren (knee), also not present for last week’s media-attended practice, took part in individual drills but remained idle during team drills.

As for mending linebackers Jihaad Campbell (shoulder) and Nakobe Dean (knee), both were present, albeit taking in the session as a spectator. Campbell, at one point, was seen sporting a helmet. Eagles DC Vic Fangio offered updates on both players, revealing that Dean “won’t be back for a while” and that Campbell, the team’s first-round pick, would begin practicing “sometime in August.”

Dean, by the way, was noticeably engaged from the sideline, observing intently and communicating with the defense. I’ve said this countless times before, but Dean epitomizes leadership.

With housekeeping in order, here’s the comprehensive news and notes from Tuesday’s media-attended OTA session:

* Jalen Hurts had another efficient day, making sound, quick decisions and finding open receivers. While many of his throws were of the short-to-intermediate variety, his passes were facilitated with touch and accuracy. It’s also worth noting that he wasn’t throwing to A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith during team drills, but rather Jahan Dotson, Ainias Smith and Terrace Marshall. Of the three, Marshall was most active, though Dotson flashed secure hands on a couple short completions early in the session.

Hurts’ best throw of the day occurred on a drop-in-the-bucket to TE Dallas Goedert down the left sideline with LB Zack Baun closely trailing. Hurts delivered it to Goedert’s outside shoulder.

Speaking of Goedert, Tuesday served as a reminder of how critical the veteran tight end is to Hurts, as well as the offense’s overall functionality.

*Random observation: During the warmup period, receivers and quarterbacks were split. On one side, you had Hurts and Tanner McKee throwing to Brown, Goedert, Smith, Marshall, Grant Calcaterra, Jahan Dotson, Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson.

The other group featured quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and rookie Kyle McCord throwing to TE Cameron Latu and WRs Danny Gray, Darius Cooper, Taylor Morin and Giles Jackson.

* The first-team offensive line during team drills went as followed (L-R): LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Brett Toth, RG Tyler Steen, RT Lane Johnson. Steen, as expected, appears to be the frontrunner at right guard.

The second-team offensive line included (L-R): LT Kendall Lamm, LG Kenyon Green, C Drew Kendall, RG Matt Pryor, RT Darian Kinnard. Second-year pro Trevor Keegan also worked in at LG.

* Before practice, Fangio raised more than a few eyebrows when answering a question regarding what he’s seeking to learn about multi-faceted DB Cooper DeJean:

“We’d like to keep him at nickel, and then in our base package, we’ll find a spot for him either at corner or safety,” said Fangio.

DeJean, for what it’s worth, took part in some individual work with the safety group. The second-year defender again aligned at outside cornerback opposite Mitchell in base and kicked inside when the defense shifted to nickel.

* Last week, it was veteran Adoree’ Jackson who got the nod over third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo at outside corner, indicating a legitimate position battle is underway. Further supporting that notion is that this time Ringo got the first-team nod during team drills. It would be unwise to draw conclusions based on OTA alignment, as the Eagles routinely mix and match personnel for evaluation purposes. But keep an eye on how this develops during training camp.

* While the linebacker position is missing two critical pieces, second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. continues to garner first-team reps alongside Zack Baun. The 22-year-old plays with great instincts and anticipation. Trotter Jr. doesn’t exactly have to ward off a slew of challengers, but the Clemson product should benefit greatly from expanded reps. Perhaps rookie Smael Mondon Jr. eats into some of those reps this summer.

* As for the safety position, which acted as a revolving door last week without Reed Blankenship in attendance, Sydney Brown opened 7-on-7s as the other starter, but Drew Mukuba, Lewis Cine, Andre’ Sam and Tristin McCollum all mixed in, though seemingly less frequently than last week.

McCollum is a player I’ve mentioned for a bit as someone the Eagles like, and Fangio added his name to the safety mix when asked about the Drew Mukuba/Sydney Brown position battle:

“It’s a competition that is going to take a training camp and a few preseason games to sort out. And Tristin’s in that, too,” he said.

*The first-team kickoff unit included: CB Kelee Ringo, S Drew Mukuba, S Sydney Brown, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., EDGE Patrick Johnson, EDGE Jalyx Hunt, RB Will Shipley, TE Kylen Granson, WR Ainias Smith. CB Parry Nickerson also worked in.

* Solid showing from McKee and McCord. The former ripped a pinpoint dart deep middle to WR Danny Gray, while McCord lofted a touch pass toward the left sideline to TE Nick Muse – who reeled it in despite tight coverage from UDFA S Maxen Hook – and fired another in a tight window over the middle to TE Kylen Granson, who hauled it in amid excessive traffic. Granson also snared a nifty sideline catch earlier in the session, despite CB Parry Nickerson’s incompletion plea. Speaking of Nickerson, the veteran was next up at nickel behind DeJean.

McKee, at one point, attempted to fit one in a tight window along the right sideline to TE Harrison Bryant, though a swarming CB Mac McWilliams got a hand in to break up the pass. McKee and Bryant were unable to connect on another occasion, this time on a pass over the middle that appeared to be a miscommunication. CB A.J. Woods was in coverage.

* I’ve mentioned this player quite a bit since last season, but if you’re looking for a dark horse candidate on offense, keep an eye on Gray, who offers blistering speed and runs smooth routes. He was frequently targeted during Tuesday’s practice – though he did yield a bad drop on a slant – and should really showcase his ability when the pads come on later this summer. Gray also fielded some kicks during the special teams segment, perhaps increasing his value.

In addition, the other players fielding kicks included RB Shunderrick Powell and WR Giles Jackson.

* This was our first look at the newly minted fullback, VanSumeren, who now dons No. 43. The former linebacker caught passes during individual drills with ease, while looking spry on the move. At one point, I had to do a double take, as VanSumeren looked like an uber-athletic tight end when running a wheel route. He nonchalantly reeled in the over-the-shoulder throw down the far sideline. He appears to be close to be full-go.

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