Final Act

PHILADELPHIA — Light rain and overcast skies set the scene for Day 18 of Eagles camp, the final session of the summer. The team will hold a walkthrough Thursday, with the preseason finale slated for Friday evening at MetLife Stadium.

With cutdowns looming, the team will have some difficult decisions to make ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Ahead of practice, the Eagles signed LB Chance Campbell and released WR Giles Jackson in a corresponding move. Campbell, who practiced Wednesday, has been issued No. 59.

Campbell, 25, was a 2022 sixth-round pick. Appeared in four games for the Titans in 2023. Spent the 2022 and 2024 seasons on IR.

The signing adds some depth ahead of the finale, which will feature a heavy dose of Smael Mondon Jr., Dallas Gant and Lance Dixon.

As for Wednesday’s status report, WR A.J. Brown (hamstring), CB Tariq Castro-Fields (hamstring), S Lewis Cine (groin), G Landon Dickerson (knee), T Jordan Mailata (concussion), QB Tanner McKee (finger), S Drew Mukuba (hamstring), CB Kelee Ringo (quad), WR DeVonta Smith (groin), OLB Josh Uche (groin) and WR Johnny Wilson (knee/ankle) didn’t practice.

Dickerson, sporting his No. 69 jersey and a black sleeve on his right leg, was present as a bystander. He was spotted chatting  with Jason Kelce while taking in the session.

Mukuba and Wilson sustained injuries during Tuesday’s session. Ringo was also a new addition.

The session was expectedly light, covering 1 hour, 23 minutes. Head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the media prior to practice.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles S Andre Sam does a drill before Wednesday’s last Eagles training camp practice of 2025.

Let’s get to the practice observations:

* Practice opened with a walkthrough that also included some special teams work. First up on the kickoff team: S Sydney Brown, TE Grant Calcaterra, TE Kylen Granson, TE E.J. Jenkins, WR Ainias Smith, S Tristin McCollum, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., OLB Patrick Johnson, CB Jakorian Bennett and RB Will Shipley.

* Notes from individuals: The wide receivers, in groups of twos, ran an assembly line focused on bringing in contested catches. The highlights included a twisting, one-handed twirl from rookie WR Darius Cooper, paired with WR Ife Adeyi. WR Elijah Cooks, paired with WRs coach Aaron Moorehead, shined in this drill, also hauling in a one-handed catch. His basketball background is evident.

Later, WR A.J. Brown fired off some passes to his fellow wideouts, who were running towards him. He zipped a pass that was too tall for Cooks, and another high throw that was high-pointed and secured by Cooper.

* During the initial team period, the Eagles rolled out a defense that featured a secondary of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean at cornerback and Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown at safety. The linebackers were Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell and the up front included OLBs Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt and DTs Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo.

When shifting to nickel, DeJean migrated to his normal role, bringing on veteran Adoree’ Jackson to align opposite Mitchell. The second-team cornerback grouping was comprised of Jakorian Bennett and rookie Mac McWilliams.

The second pair of linebackers included Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie Smael Mondon Jr.

Veteran Matt Pryor again filled in for Mailata at left tackle, with Brett Toth replacing Dickerson at left guard. The second unit was comprised of (L-R): LT Kendall Lamm, LG Kenyon Green, C Drew Kendall, RG Trevor Keegan, RT Darian Kinnard.

* Undrafted rookie WR Darius Cooper keeps showing up in a big way. The Tarleton State product skied between CB Quinyon Mitchell and LB Jihaad Campbell to bring in a high ball from QB Jalen Hurts. He later beat CB Adoree’ Jackson on a short out-route inside the left pylon for a touchdown.

The influx of numbers at his position clouds his roster status, but he belongs. He’s blended day-to-day consistency with splash plays.

* While on Tuesday I noted CB Adoree Jackson’s solid showing, the veteran didn’t have his best day on the final practice of the summer. In addition to the touchdown surrendered to Cooper, Jackson allowed a catch to WR Jahan Dotson on a crosser and shortly thereafter was flagged for a defensive pass interference on Dotson. On that play, EDGEs Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith converged on Hurts, perhaps resulting in a sack in a game.

* QB Jalen Hurts connected with TE Grant Calcaterra on a crosser toward the left corner of the end zone, for a touchdown. Calcaterra had a step on S Sydney Brown. He then took advantage of a mismatch in coverage on the ensuing play, firing a pass in the back of the end zone to WR Jahan Dotson with LB Zack Baun defending, much to the delight of OC Kevin Patullo.

Hurts also rifled a perfectly placed ball to WR Ainias Smith on an out route for a touchdown. Smith created just enough separation from Cooper DeJean to make the play. Smith, by the way, had some positive moments in the final practice. His confidence appears to be growing. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with his opportunity Friday evening.

* The Eagles opened with a linebacker tandem of Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell, offering a glimpse of what we’ll see on game days. The dynamic tandem wreaked havoc in the abbreviated session, with Campbell knifing through for a would-be sack of Hurts and Baun setting the tone early, sniffing out a Hurts screen to Barkley to blow it up.

* Rookie QB Kyle McCord, again elevated to the No. 2 role with Tanner McKee sidelined, tossed a second interception in as many days. Looking for TE E.J. Jenkins over the middle, McCord instead completed the pass to LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who made a savvy play in coverage. McCord probably got rid of it a tick quicker than he’d like, as DT Moro Ojomo stormed past OG Kenyon Green to apply the pressure.

During the pre-practice walkthrough, the Eagles practiced the “Tush Push” with McCord.

* I’ve come away impressed watching undrafted rookie RB Montrell Johnson Jr. this summer. The Florida product missed a chunk of camp with a hamstring injury, but he’s shown an ability to run with patience, contact balance and notable vision. Johnson Jr. had a quality run on an inside zone and followed it up on the ensuing play with a short reception over the middle for a touchdown with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in coverage.

Following his preseason debut against the Browns, I asked Johnson what he’s hoping to showcase this week.

“Just versatility and trust,” he said. “Me going out there, being able to show that they can trust me in any position that they put me in, on special teams, whether that’s in pass-blocking, catching outside the backfield and running. Just being able to build trust.”

* The finals plays of camp were consecutive completions from QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to WR Ife Adeyi.

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