Hot In The City

PHILADELPHIA – To counter the scorching temperatures converging on the Delaware Valley on Tuesday, the Eagles moved practice up an hour for their first fully padded practice of training camp. The pads were popping in an active session that included a variety of drills, one of my favorites documented below.

As for Tuesday’s status report, LB Zack Baun (back contusion), WR Danny Gray (finger), S Drew Mukuba (shoulder), WR DeVonta Smith (back tightness) and EDGE Nolan Smith (concussion) didn’t practice. Baun and Smith are new additions to the injury report, while Mukuba, sidelined for the second consecutive practice, got dinged during Saturday’s practice following a collision with Gray.

Limited for the Eagles were LB Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), DT Jalen Carter (shoulder), C Cam Jurgens (back) and LB Smael Mondon Jr. (illness).

WR Terrace Marshall came off during an early team period following a Montrell Johnson Jr. run with what looked to be an apparent leg injury. He eventually went inside with a trainer and didn’t return.

The session, categorized as “green,” covered around 1 hour, 55 minutes. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed the media prior to practice for the second time this camp.

You never know which notable guests you’ll spot at Eagles camp, and Tuesday was no exception. In attendance were former Raiders GM Mike Mayock, as well as former Eagles center Jason Kelce and safety Rodney McLeod.

ITB PHOTO/Andrew DiCecco: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts greets fans as he walks onto the practice field for the first time in pads in 2025.

Let’s get to the practice observations:

* As previously stated, the cornerback competition between third-year pro Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson is one that figures to linger throughout the summer. On Tuesday, it was Ringo – not Jackson, who’d opened the past three practices as the first-team CB opposite Quinyon Mitchell – running with the 1s for the first time since Day 1 of camp. The pair continues to rotate with the 1s, a trend that should persist. Much like Monday, Mitchell worked at both left and right corner.

Ringo strung together a pair of strong reps against Marshall, one of which included a pass breakup. Jackson, on the other hand, was called for a blatantly obvious DPI on a deep shot down the right sideline, on a pass intended for WR Jahan Dotson.

* At safety, it was Cooper DeJean again joining Reed Blankenship when the Eagles were in base, with Sydney Brown coming on when the defense shifted to its nickel look. Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam did the heavy lifting with the second team, while the third team was comprised of Lewis Cine and rookie Maxen Hook.

* With Smith sidelined, the first-team edge rushers included a pairing of Jalyx Hunt and veteran Josh Uche. Ochaun Mathis, a 2023 sixth-round pick of the Rams who spent time on the Eagles’ practice squad last season, Azeez Ojulari and Patrick Johnson also saw an uptick. I noticed Uche quite a bit and I thought Mathis had some positive moments. Mathis, by the way, has appeared in 14 games, including one last season with the Eagles.

* Without Baun, the first-team linebacking tandem was comprised of Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie Jihaad Campbell, while the rookie Smael Mondon Jr. also saw a smattering of first-team reps. More on Trotter Jr. and Campbell later.

On Monday, Campbell had barreled through the line and attempted to dislodge the ball from of the arms of QB Tanner McKee. Tuesday morning, Campbell beautifully read a short pass to TE Dallas Goedert, taking the veteran to the ground before seemingly apologizing after the play. It’s evident Campbell plays with an edge, but I’ve also noticed his instincts, length and range. The rookie can cover a lot of ground. He flows to the ball with urgency.

*Second-year LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. may not possess similar athletic attributes the way Campbell does, but he continues to make the notebook for his play recognition and ability to read and diagnose. He delivered a pop to Will Shipley, his former college teammate, on a run play and closed quickly on a sideline dump-off to Saquon Barkley, as Jalen Hurts waved for his receivers to work their way back to the ball. His best play of Tuesday’s practice, however, occurred on a Hurts pass to Goedert in the back corner of the end zone. Matching the dynamic tight end stride for stride, Trotter Jr. got a hand in to breakup the pass. Trotter Jr. has had a strong start to camp.

* As for Will Shipley, the second-year running back reeled in a flurry of passes out of the backfield – including one along the sideline with Campbell defending – serving as an outlet for Hurts and McKee. He also found the end zone on a short toss from Hurts, by way of a Texas route. Shipley, the team’s most natural pass-catcher out of the backfield, is at his best maneuvering in space and getting upfield with the ball. His diverse skill set just adds a different dimension to the running back room. It’s also worth noting that Barkley referred to him as the “smartest back in the room.”

* As alluded to above, among the more highly anticipated drills throughout camp is 1-on-1s, and here are some of the highlights I jotted down from the running back pass protection period on a far field:

Jeremiah Trotter Jr vs. Keilan Robinson

Trotter Jr. got around Robinson with a spin move to win the rep.

Jihaad Campbell vs. ShunDerrick Powell

Campbell won the rep with active hands and force to disengage and slip past Powell.

Smael Mondon Jr. vs. Saquon Barkley

Not the best showing from Mondon Jr. during this drill. On this rep, Barkley stonewalled to rookie to win the rep.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. vs. Ben VanSumeren

Trotter Jr. dipped and ducked around VanSumeren for the win.

Smael Mondon Jr. vs. Montrell Johnson

Johnson Jr. has impressed me as a runner and returner, but the rookie did well to hold up Mondon Jr. on this rep. Keep an eye on him during preseason play.

Lance Dixon vs. Will Shipley

Dixon spun to get around Shipley, but the second-year running back forced him wide. It was close, but I gave the nod to Shipley.

Smael Mondon Jr. vs. ShunDerrick Powell

Powell showcased good technique, and Mondon Jr. was unable to disengage.

Dallas Gant vs. Will Shipley

Gant tried to elude Shipley with a dip and lost his footing.

Smael Mondon Jr. vs. A.J. Dillon

Dillon missed his hand placement on the initial strike and Mondon Jr. took advantage.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr vs. Ben VanSumeren, Part II

VanSumeren overpowered Trotter Jr. this time, finishing the rep by throwing the latter to the ground. Trotter Jr. stood up and, for a brief moment, both players stared at each other. It’s also worth noting that VanSumeren eliminated Trotter Jr. with a forceful block during a special teams drill over the weekend. Fun battle.

More observations

* I thought third-year CB Eli Ricks has quietly had a productive start to camp. On the heels of a strong showing during Monday’s 1-on-1s, Ricks smothered rookie WR Darius Cooper on a corner route to force an incompletion. Ricks was quick to signal the pass was incomplete.

* Speaking of Darius Cooper, QB Tanner McKee appeared to complete a pass to him late in the session, but a pop from S Tristin McCollum knocked the ball loose – much to the chagrin of WRs coach Aaron Morehead. When opportunities are so infrequent, you have to make the most of them.

Down-the-roster notes

* WR Elijah Cooks continued to impress. The third-year receiver, signed to a reserve/futures deal after briefly spending time on the Eagles’ practice squad during the postseason run, has made plays in each of the past three practices. On Tuesday, McKee rifled a pass in the back of the end zone to Cooks, who managed to get both feet in despite tight coverage from McCollum and LB Dallas Gant. The referee signaled touchdown, though an incredulous McCollum insisted he was out.

* The opportunities for RB ShunDerrick Powell during team periods have been scarce, but the No. 39 made the notebook on two occasions. In the red zone, the 5-foot-7 Powell used his leverage to burrow ahead for a relatively clean touchdown that almost looked as though he glided through. Earlier in practice, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with Powell on a bullet over the middle for his first touchdown on the morning.

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