Come Together

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Breaking up the monotony of training camp, the Eagles traveled here for a long-awaited set of two joint practices against the Patriots. Wednesday session, which covered just over two hours, was spirited and fast paced, providing plenty of takeaways to delve into.

The following Eagles didn’t participate on Day 13: CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder), OL John Ojukwu (pectoral), RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring), Shaun Wade (eye/shoulder), WR Johnny Wilson (knee), DT Byron Young (shoulder).

Veteran OLB Jonathan Greenard (pectoral strain) remains on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Limited for the Eagles were CB Tariq Castro-Fields (heel), OLB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), WR Makai Lemon (hamstring) and WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring).

Smith took part in individuals but was held out of team drills. Encouraging news for Lemon, who is trending in a positive direction. Missing practice certainly isn’t optimal, especially for a rookie, but soft tissue injuries can be fickle.

Practice observations

* The first-team Eagles offense showcased some different things early in the session, with RB Saquon Barkley churning out productive runs on consecutive plays. Barkley was sharp, showing good burst throughout the session. The highlight, though, occurred shortly thereafter, with Jalen Hurts delivering a strike to WR Elijah Moore on a deep corner route for a touchdown. Moore, who in celebration tossed the ball over the fence, did a nice job tracking the football. TE E.J. Jenkins bought Hurts some time in the pocket, holding off CB Marcus Jones from swarming in and affecting the play.

As an aside, Jenkins also delivered a nice block on CB Carlton Davis III, tossing him to the ground. Sure, the two players listed are considerable smaller by comparison, but Jenkins has made a concerted effort over the years to improve his blocking.

In addition to the Hurts connection to Moore, the quarterback delivered a precise timing route to WR Darius Cooper along the right sideline late in the session. He stood tall in the pocket despite DL Christian Barmore maneuvering past RG Tyler Steen, finding WR Hollywood Brown for an intermediary completion in front of ex-Eagles CB Kindle Vildor. Hurts, with pressure bearing down, also found RB Will Shipley for a big gain on a wheel route.

* The Eagles’ pass defense gave up more completions than normal, but it’s important to single out Jalyx Hunt, who continues to flash, providing pressure off the edge. Whether in South Philadelphia or Foxborough, the third-year pass-rusher continues to impress. As I continue to say and wrote, breakout season loading. I’ll also highlight fourth-year DT Moro Ojomo, who provided some juice from the interior. He’s had an excellent summer.

After practice, I asked former Eagles DT Milton Williams about Ojomo:

“Man, Moro, he got everything he wants right in front of him,” he said. “I see a lot of myself in him, just the type of person he is and just the type of player he is. He got it all in his bag. He’s gonna work. He’s gonna get everything that he worked for, and the future is bright for him.”

* Much of the buzz leading up to practice naturally centered on former Eagles WR A.J. Brown. Brown was in top form and targeted early and often. The primary defender in coverage was CB Riq Woolen. Among the notables, Brown separated from the 6-foot-4 cornerback on a crossing route early in practice and then later pulled in a difficult reception along the sideline, though it looked as though he might not have gotten both feet in. Still, it was ruled a catch. Woolen also surrendered a catch to former Eagles WR Mack Hollins. In case you’re wondering, no, Brown hasn’t lost a step.

Some highlights from 1-on-1s

Patriots WRs vs. Eagles DBs

Patriots QB Drake Maye launched a deep shot for A.J. Brown, who was matched up against CB Quinyon Mitchell. Brown had a step, but Mitchell gained ground late in the rep, getting a hand in to break up the pass just shy of the end zone.

Brown spoke about the play after practice:

“My first rep, Q got away with a holding [laughs]. I won, and he pulled himself back into the play. I just have to finish the play. My right hand didn’t get to the ball quick enough. My left hand got on the ball. That’s on me, attention to detail, catching the ball high, not letting it get low. So those little things.”

CB Riq Woolen forced WR Romeo Doubs outside, carrying him up the right sideline. Woolen batted the pass away at the last moment.

WR DeMario Douglas lost DB Cooper DeJean at the top of his route to pull in the short completion.

Rookie DB Maximus Pulley logged a nice pass breakup matched up against FB Reggie Gilliam.

TE Hunter Henry gained a step on S Marcus Epps, but the pass was too far in front of him.

CB Ambry Thomas got handsy with WR Mack Hollins, though that did little to hinder Hollins’ progress up the field, as the former Eagles wideout pulled away from Thomas to reel in the Go ball.

DB Michael Carter II got physical with WR Kobe Prentice, smothering the wide receiver and not giving up any ground. Nice rep.

WR Nick DeGennaro separated from CB Ambry Thomas down the right sideline to haul in the deep shot.

Eagles OL vs. Patriots DL

The Eagles’ starters showed well here, winning all but one of their respective matchups. Some highlights included RT Lane Johnson manhandling LB Elijah Ponder and RG Tyler Steen delivering a strong rep against DL Christian Barmore. Steen, by the way, has largely fared well in his 1-on-1s this summer.

I came away really impressed with how OL Drew Kendall acquitted himself here. His first rep, against DT Joshua Farmer, was probably a draw. But later, Kendall showcased his increased strength and anchor ability against DT Isaiah Iton. Iton, by the way, got the better of OL Willie Lampkin on one rep, but Lampkin performed really well. His highlight was on a technically sound rep against DT Casey Rogers, whom Lampkin controlled and steered the whole way. Rookie T Markel Bell also showed well, in one instance taking LB Jesse Luketa to the ground.

Conversely, it was a tough series for reserves Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Michael Jordan and Jake Majors. LB Bradyn Swinson had impressive showings against both Hinton and Williams, while DT Eric Gregory won with an inside move on Jordan.

Offensive line configurations

First team (L-R): LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens, RG Tyler Steen, RT Lane Johnson

Second team (L-R): LT Myles Hinton, LG Jake Majors, C Willie Lampkin, RG Drew Kendall, RT Markel Bell

Note: Veteran Fred Johnson didn’t take part in team drills on Wednesday.

More observations

* Two offensive players who jumped out with a good performance? How about RB Will Shipley and WR Hollywood Brown. In addition to his long reception on a wheel route, Shipley, the third-year running back, showcased some juice as a runner and picked up tough yards. He had a nice outside run to the right that highlighted his straight-line speed. It was a big spot for Shipley, who probably received an uptick in snaps because RB Tank Bigsby missed Monday’s practice with a toe injury, but he answered the call. Brown reeled in a handful of throws, perhaps most notable being one he caught in front of CB Carlton Davis III, with pressure up the middle.

* Good play by LB Zack Baun in coverage during a team period. Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson, running a wheel route up the left sideline, appeared to have a step. Baun, however, closed the gap, and from my vantage point, I couldn’t tell whether the pass hit him in the back or he deflected it away. Baun sometimes gets lost in the mix because he’s just so steady, but he showed off his range there. Strong run fits, too. The All-Pro LB had an active morning.

* Daily QB2 update: Veteran Andy Dalton was first up with the second team, but as usual, Tanner McKee also mixed in. Rookie Cole Payton also received some reps. Dalton tossed a dot along the sideline to WR Erik Ezukanma and completed a pair of well-placed throws to WR Quez Watkins. McKee found Eli Stowers for a big gain. Payton, in his opportunities, checked it down to RB Carson Steele on his first attempt. He then threw behind WR Britain Covey in what appeared to be a miscommunication. Payton, on his next attempt, tossed an interception to Patriots S John Saunders Jr.

* I made it a point to catch a glimpse of the Eagles’ second-team defense on the other field. QB Tommy DeVito attempted to fit one in to WR Kayshon Boutte, but the ball ricocheted off his hands. Eagles S Andre’ Sam was there for the tip drill, coming up with the interception. Sam has received quite a bit of reps this summer and has been a mainstay on the second team. His growth over the last three summers has been fun to watch.

* The Eagles punt returners were WRs Britain Covey, Elijah Moore, Quez Watkins and DB Cooper DeJean.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.