Final Act

Cue up Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out,” as the Eagles on Tuesday closed the book on spring practices and broke for the summer.

The morning clouds and rain eventually parted, giving way to sunshine and training camp-like temperatures in a practice that featured a healthy dose of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods, along with a highly intriguing situational stretch.

All 90 players were present and accounted for at the Eagles’ lone mandatory minicamp, and when you look at some of the contract disputes around the NFL, it’s a testament to Eagles brass that everyone was in-house. Not all were participants, though. No practice for LB Zack Baun, who later said it was due to “overall general soreness.” He watched practice from the sideline.

Also missing in action on the field were LB Nakobe Dean (knee), WR/RS Avery Williams (undisclosed) and WR Elijah Cooks (undisclosed). Dean, sporting a bucket hat, was again watching intently. EDGE Nolan Smith (triceps), who again participated in individual drills, was sidelined during the team period as he works his way back from injury. DT Jalen Carter was present but didn’t practice. OC Cam Jurgens (back) and OG Marcus Tate were again idle during the team period but did get some work in on a side field. Jurgens did partake in a series of sprints, while I spotted a rather large knee brace on Tate’s left knee.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Danny Gray (80) is hoping to parlay a solid spring camp season into a strong training camp showing.

Another offensive lineman, rookie Myles Hinton, got nicked up during the session and visited the medical tent.

FB Ben VanSumeren (knee) again participated, though was held out of team drills.

But perhaps the most encouraging note of all was that mending ILB Jihaad Campbell (shoulder) was partaking in some linebacker drills at the start of practice. While DC Vic Fangio last week said he expects Campbell to return to practice “sometime in August,” it had to have been a welcomed sight for the team before breaking for the summer.

Former Eagles wide receiver and current Delaware State head coach DeSean Jackson was on hand for practice, at one point seen conversing with Eagles OC Kevin Patullo. He was also closely watching the wide receiver drills.

The final practice of the spring again covered around 80 minutes.

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

* With Baun out of the lineup, the first-team off-ball tandem was comprised of second-year pro Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie Smael Mondon Jr, underscoring the razor-thin nature of the position. Mondon Jr., in fact, found himself on the wrong end of what was a candidate for “Play of the Day.” During an early 7-on-7 period, QB Jalen Hurts lofted a perfectly-placed deep shot down the left sideline to a streaking DeVonta Smith for a touchdown. A trailing Mondon Jr. was the only player in the vicinity, suggesting a coverage bust.

* The top safeties to open practice were Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown. It’s been a steady rotation during the three media-attended practices, and Tuesday was no exception. Drew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam all worked in. Speaking of Mukuba, the rookie saw the field in dime looks. Again, this is the time of year where teams mix-and-match personnel and tinker with lineups and packages.

Mukuba, by the way, flashed his football intelligence and eye discipline on a play-action completion to TE Grant Calcaterra. Mukuba wasn’t deceived and was right there, delivering a thud at the end for good measure.

* Perhaps the most highly anticipated training camp battle will be at cornerback, with third-year pro Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson being the primary contenders. On Tuesday, Ringo opened as the first-team outside corner opposite Quinyon Mitchell, with Cooper DeJean aligned at nickel. It was a strong showing for Ringo, an OTA standout last season. He showcased his size and physicality on several occasions, logging a pair of pass breakups on throws to wide receivers Danny Gray and Terrace Marshall.

* 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 appears to be entrenched at right guard, as expected. The one player I could potentially see pushing Steen is veteran Matt Pryor. It’s also worth noting Toth’s struggles with regards to his snaps, with two erratic snaps hindering the offense. Should only be a matter of time before the veteran is usurped by rookie Drew Kendall.

The second-team offensive line (from L-R): LT Kendall Lamm, LG Trevor Keegan, C Drew Kendall, RG Matt Pryor, RT Darian Kinnard. Veteran OG Kenyon Green, acquired in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, worked with the third-team.

* I always say it’s difficult to gauge the trenches during spring practices, but it was evident throughout practice that second-year EDGE Jalyx Hunt was a force, often slipping into the backfield and disrupting plays. On this day, Hunt got the better of Jordan Mailata. The 24-year-old looks to be rushing and playing with more confidence and urgency, making him the player I’m most interested to see when the pads come on in late July. I’ve written this countless time – and said it on “The""> Daily DiCecco” podcast –  I believe Hunt will make the biggest leap forward of any Eagles defensive player, even listing the Houston Christian product as my 2025 defensive breakout.

* This particular day belonged to TE Nick Muse, whom the Eagles signed to the practice squad late last season before inking the South Carolina product to a reserve/future contract. During a situational period, a 3rd-and-8 scenario, Muse skied over S Andre’ Sam to pull in the end zone touchdown. Rookie QB Kyle McCord delivered a perfect strike in a tight window. McCord and Muse later connected on a nice completion, with Mukuba in coverage. But the best from Muse occurred later in the session, with McCord laying out a pass for his tight end, who like a major league outfielder extended to reel in the throw of about 25 yards or so. Muse is a bit further down on the depth chart, but what a way to leave a lasting impression ahead of training camp.

* While it wasn’t as flashy, I thought TE Kylen Granson had a really solid string of practices, reeling in a flurry of short-to-intermediary throws and finding the soft spots in the defense. Granson doesn’t have the prototypical frame for a TE, but he’s been dependable and a trusty option for QBs.

* McCord made the most of his minimal reps, but QB Tanner McKee continues to impress as the No. 2 quarterback. The third-year pro has great command of the offense and throws with timing and velocity. He also showcases the confidence in himself and skill players to thread the needle in traffic. His one heave into the end zone – an incompletion to WR Terrace Marshall – was his lone blemish due to ball placement. He also tossed an on-the-money deep pass down the left sideline to WR Ainias Smith later in the session.

McCord’s go-to target this spring has been Danny Gray, who needs no introduction if you’ve been following along with our coverage. The speedy fourth-year wideout is smooth in and out of breaks and knows how to get open. He’ll be a summer standout. Book it.

* The same can also be said for another veteran, Terrace Marshall, who turned in a strong showing, making a number of receptions. It appears he’s building trust with his quarterbacks. Curious to see how the WR4/5 spots evolve this summer.

* Don’t forget about DL Gabe Hall when sizing up the final spots on the defensive line. The second-year pro mixed in early during team drills and showed some juice.

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