Campbell’s Coop

PHILADELPHIA — In what very much felt like the first day of school, football returned to South Philadelphia, as the Eagles held their first training camp practice of the summer.

The practice, classified as “yellow,” covered around 75 minutes. Head coach Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman addressed the media prior to practice.

Some roster housekeeping: Ahead of practice, the Eagles placed LB Nakobe Dean (knee) on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The team also signed DT Joe Evans, and waived/injured G Marcus Tate.

Evans (6-2, 323), a rookie free agent, briefly spent time with the Colts during the spring.

As for Wednesday’s status report, DT Jalen Carter (shoulder) and G Kenyon Green (knee) didn’t practice. LB Jihaad Campbell (shoulder) and C Cam Jurgens (back) were limited participants.

My understanding (Re: Campbell, Jurgens) is that the rep management is part of the recovery plan.

Photo credit: Andrew DiCecco — Eagles training camp kicked off Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex.

Let’s get to the practice observations:

* Once projected to be a practice participant “sometime in August,” Eagles LB Jihaad Campbell got some important work during team drills.

Campbell worked with the second-team alongside fellow rookie Smael Mondon Jr. and made a couple of notable impressions. The first occurred when defending a Tanner McKee pass on a crossing route thrown slightly behind WR Danny Gray. Gray had a step — and a better ball might have helped — but Campbell showcased his range and athleticism in breaking up the pass. The first-round pick also flashed on a blitz during team period.

* Some offensive line depth chart notes:

First team: LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Brett Toth, RG Tyler Steen, RT Lane Johnson

Second team: LT Kendall Lamm, LG Brett Toth, C Drew Kendall, RG Matt Pryor, RT Darian Kinnard

Third team: LT Myles Hinton, LG Laekin Vakalahi, C Trevor Keegan, RG Hollin Pierce, RT Cameron Williams

(Note: Keegan repped at center during Senior Bowl practices and offers value at all three interior positions. Perhaps something to file away.)

* The Eagles opened 11-on-11s in base, deploying Cooper DeJean at safety, something DC Vic Fangio mentioned during the spring. It’s also worth mentioning Eagles aren’t in base very much at all.

When the defense shifted to nickel, DeJean kicked inside, and it was third-year S Sydney Brown who got the first-team reps alongside Reed Blankenship. Rookie S Drew Mukuba got some looks with the 1s as well.

* At cornerback (during 11v11), Quinyon Mitchell aligned at left corner, while third-year pro Kelee Ringo manned the other outside spot. Cooper DeJean mainly manned the slot, with rookie Mac McWilliams garnering second-team reps. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson saw first-team reps in place of Ringo during 7-on-7s. Expect a lot of mixing and matching here throughout camp.

Speaking of Ringo, the 22-year-old surrendered a deep shot from QB Tanner McKee on a Go route down the right sideline to WR Terrace Marshall during an early 7-on-7 period and another 20-to-25-yard bomb during full-teams later, when Hurts completed a jump ball to WR A.J. Brown. The coverage was solid on the latter sequence.

* Second-year pro Jeremiah Trotter Jr. accompanied Zack Baun as the first-team LBs, while the defensive line (with Carter sidelined) included EDGE Nolan Smith (sporting a brace on his left arm following the February triceps tear), Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt.

*While it’s obviously early, the Eagles appear to have something at WR in Terrace Marshall, who signed this offseason as a free-agent. Marshall, who had a nice spring, as mentioned won against Ringo deep. He then later demonstrated body control and strong hands on a short toss toward the sideline, outmuscling Ringo to complete the catch. He was visibly fired up after the play.

Both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith heaped praise on Marshall after practice, with Brown going as far as saying Marshall is going to make the WR room “uncomfortable” before adding that it’s a “great thing.”

* Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown already look to be in midseason form, the feel and timing revealed in the work they put in. The pair seems to just have an uncanny sense of being in sync. I’ve said it this offseason, but I believe Brown is poised for a monster season.

* The intrigue and excitement surrounding second-year edge rusher Jalyx Hunt is palpable. On the heels of a productive spring, Hunt showcased explosiveness and effort when rushing. At one point, he clearly got the better of LT Jordan Mailata for what was a “sack.” Hurts tried to salvage the play, keeping the ball himself and picking up a handful of yards. During the post-practice availability, Mailata gushed over Hunt’s potential, saying he believes Hunt will be a star.

* Second-year RB Will Shipley brings juice and home-run hitting ability to this offense. On one play during team period, Shipley found a crease to the right and ripped off a long run. Reminiscent of last season, RT Lane Johnson raised his arm, almost as if to signal “he’s gone.” During his post-practice availability, fellow RB Saquon Barkley lauded Shipley for his pass-catching and footwork while also revealing that the Clemson product is the “smartest back in the room.”

* Back to return punts on Wednesday were Cooper DeJean, Ainias Smith, Jahan Dotson, Taylor Morin and Giles Jackson. Interestingly, not Avery Williams, who practiced in full after being sidelined during the spring. He was involved in a special teams drill  elsewhere.

*I noticed DT Thomas Booker IV, who received quite a bit of reps, on multiple occasions. He brings relentless effort and a motor that runs hot. He enters camp as the favorite for the fifth DT spot.

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