Curtains Pulled

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles on Wednesday conducted their second of six OTA practices at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, featuring both 7-on-7 work and team drills (11-on-11). The session, open to reporters, was held in the team’s indoor facility due to weather.

In terms of Wednesday’s attendance for the voluntary session, those who were not present were WR A.J. Brown, RT Lane Johnson, LB Jihaad Campbell, WR Dontayvion Wicks and OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka.

Present but not participating were S Cole Wisniewski, DB Tucker Large and LB Chandler Martin.

It’s my understanding that on Tuesday, the start of OTAs, the Eagles had near-perfect attendance, sans one player.

Transaction update: Ahead of Wednesday’s practice, the Eagles signed WR Brandon Hayes. Hayes, who participated in Eagles’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, was among the tryouts noted in this space. The Southeastern Louisiana product thrived as a kick returner, returning 38 kickoffs for 1,070 yards and three touchdowns over two seasons. He’s been issued No. 47.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles defensive backs work out Wednesday at OTAs.

Now for some observations from Wednesday’s session:

* While veteran Andy Dalton assumed the second-team quarterback reps Wednesday, Tanner McKee worked with the second group on Tuesday. Rotation and mixing-and-matching of personnel is standard practice in an OTA setting.

It’s worth noting that rookie QB Cole Payton, fourth in the pecking order, received a handful of reps late in Wednesday’s session, which should be viewed as a positive. With the way practices are constructed, there aren’t many — if any — opportunities for the No. 4 quarterback to find reps.

* To my eye, OLB Nolan Smith, DB Cooper DeJean and RB Tank Bigsby looked to have bulked up during the offseason months.

The atypical length of CB Riq Woolen resonated in his introductory press conference, but the 27-year-old truly stands apart on the practice field. The 6-foot-4 cornerback towers over every defensive back.

* Third-year WR Johnny Wilson and second-year S Drew Mukuba — both bouncing back from season-ending injuries — showed well in their return to action. Mukuba, of course, ascends to the top of the pecking order at safety, while Wilson will look to build on where he left off last summer before sustaining the knee/ankle injury.

* Without RT Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ first-team offensive line was as followed (L-R): LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens, RG Tyler Steen, RT Markel Bell.

It’s worth noting that while Bell played left tackle at Miami, the rookie credited Hurricanes offensive line coach Alex Mirabal for training the tackles to play both sides. Bell said during a previous media availability that he’s grown accustomed to training that way since his days at Miami.

Second team (L-R): LT Fred Johnson, LG Myles Hinton, C Jake Majors, RG Drew Kendall, RT John Ojukwu.

While conjuring different looks in this stage of the game is part of the process, it was notable to me that the team opted to give Kendall — a center by trade — some work at guard. I view Kendall as the Brett Toth replacement, offering game day value at both interior spots.

Third team (L-R): LT Hollin Pierce, LG Jaedan Roberts, C Willie Lampkin, RG Micah Morris, RT Cameron Williams.

* To no surprise, first up at safety alongside Mukuba in 7-on-7s and team drills was veteran Marcus Epps. When the defense shifted to base, DeJean moved to safety.

Epps, 30, received an encouraging endorsement last week from coordinator Vic Fangio.

Epps briefly remained at safety once the second-team came on, teaming with another veteran in Michael Carter II, before ultimately giving way to third-year pro Andre’ Sam. The third-team safety group was comprised of second-year pro Brandon Johnson and undrafted rookie Maximus Pulley.

* Without Campbell, the Eagles paired Jeremiah Trotter Jr. with Zack Baun at linebacker. Smael Mondon Jr. and Chance Campbell worked mostly with the second unit. Campbell isn’t a household name, per se, but certainly one to file away for training camp. The 26-year-old collected a nice pass breakup on a short Dalton throw over the middle to running back Will Shipley.

* During individuals, I focused on where each secondary coach devoted their attention. Defensive passing game coordinator Joe Kasper worked with the safety group, while secondary coach Mike Pellegrino worked with Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, Ambry Thomas and Tariq Castro-Fields.

Cornerbacks coach Roy Anderson spent time with Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams and Kapena Gushiken.

* While the running backs haven’t had much of a role in the passing game during the regular season, the group tends to command a flurry of targets in OTAs and training camp. Saquon Barkley was active early as a receiver, making a nifty sideline grab with Nolan Smith in coverage. In a timing based offense, where the ball needs to be quickly distributed, perhaps the running backs will be more involved in that capacity.

* Jalen Hurts, who took a considerable amount of reps under center during Wednesday’s session, rifled some quick-decision throws underneath. His best throw of the afternoon came on a pass rifled in to TE Dallas Goedert with coverage swarming. Hurts and Goedert, to state the obvious, have struck up quite the rapport over the years.

As for the No. 2 TE, veteran Johnny Mundt garnered some first team reps, even reeling in a pass.

* Rookie first-round WR Makai Lemon was involved early, corralling a bullet from Hurts over the middle with coverage converging. In another instance, the rookie managed to shake free, but was unable to come up with a short crosser. As mentioned, the Eagles were without Dontayvion Wicks, so Lemon, Wilson and DeVonta Smith led the way with the first unit.

* I’ve written previously in the space that veteran CB Jonathan Jones could potentially qualify as the Eagles’ most valuable under-the-radar signing due to his experience and positional versatility. Jones, during team drills, intercepted Dalton, returning it for a touchdown. He also logged a pass breakup.

* During team period, McKee threaded a perfectly placed downfield throw to undrafted tight end Dae’Quan Wright that covered 25-30 yards. The Eagles have a crowded house at the position, but Wright is a name to remember.

* Woolen’s length negated a hookup from Hurts to Smith, matching the Eagles’ top receiver down the sideline and using his frame to register a pass breakup on the underthrow. Good recovery by Woolen, who positioned himself to make the play.

* Eagles P Braden Mann has some wheels. During the team period, Mann, kicker Jake Elliott, long snapper Rocco Underwood, special teams coordinator Michael Clay — and OLB Jonathan Greenard — took part in some sprints from one sideline to another.

* An earlier throw from Payton to Hayes, with McWilliams closing in, was underthrown and ultimately incomplete, but Hayes helped himself late in the session. Striding downfield, the rookie elevated over CB Kelee Ringo to make a leaping grab. Good ball from Payton.

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