Last Dance

PHILADELPHIA – The final training camp practice of the summer for the Eagles covered around 90 minutes, punctuating what had been a summer riddled with storylines. Over the past 17 practices, several of the boxes have been checked off, with only a couple depth chart decisions remaining unanswered.

The Eagles will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday evening for the preseason finale, affording players on the roster bubble one final push to leave their respective marks. Roster cutdowns are due Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

The following Eagles didn’t participate on Day 17: OT Markel Bell (thumb/leg), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), TE Eli Stowers (hamstring) and S Cole Wisniewski (concussion).

Note: RT Lane Johnson returned to practice after tweaking something in Tuesday’s public practice that ended his night early. He participated in full. Also, I sense some early outside angst regarding the quiet summer from Eli Stowers. It’s too early for that. Sure, the slow start isn’t ideal, but perspective is important, as Stowers was always expected to be a developmental prospect. The Eagles boast an extensive track record of player development and deserve the benefit of the doubt.

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

Limited for the Eagles was CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder). This is progress for Jones, who last practiced on Aug. 8.

In other news: The Eagles on Wednesday announced that Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie will be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame. Lurie will be honored at halftime of Eagles-Cowboys on Monday, Oct. 26. For context, Lurie’s admittance into the franchise’s Hall of Fame was determined by a selection committee.

Here’s a quote from a former Eagles great Ron Jaworski on Lurie’s storied legacy:

“Jeffrey’s legacy and relentless dedication to this team are the reasons why we – the selection committee –  felt it was important to recognize him with the organization’s highest honor.”

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Makai Lemon continued to get work in after missing several weeks of practice.

Let’s get to the observations:

7-on-7 highlights

CB Riq Woolen logging a pass breakup on a slant to WR DeVonta Smith. Smith would reach the end zone on the third play on a good ball from Jalen Hurts, though on the two-point try, Woolen smothered WR Darius Cooper in the back right corner of the end zone. The Eagles began in 12 personnel here, bringing on TE Johnny Mundt.

QB Tanner McKee got the first crack at piloting the second-team offense, which featured WRs Makai Lemon, Quez Watkins and Danny Gray. Lemon hauled in a short completion, but McKee would hit the gigantic flyswatters on his next attempt, with TE Stone Smartt his intended target.

* As mentioned above, Hurts tossed a touchdown to Smith, who showcased some nifty footwork, but there weren’t many fireworks to speak of in this practice. Most of his passes of the short-to-intermediate variety. He did look for Smith again – on a shot play into the end zone – but DB Cooper DeJean provided tight coverage on the play. A couple of misfires of note on this day, including a throw behind WR Hollywood Brown with CB Quinyon Mitchell in coverage and another that was wide of Mundt, with Mitchell and OLB Nolan Smith in pursuit.

* Daily QB2 update: McKee, as mentioned, got the nod for 7-on-7s, while veteran Andy Dalton was first up during team period. This will truly be a battle to the end to determine the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback for Sept. 13. McKee delivered a strike to WR Erik Ezukanma for a touchdown in a critical spot, placing the ball where only his receiver could make the grab. I’ve noted this before, but of the down-the-roster receivers, Ezukanma has been the most consistent. There’s obviously no room for the 26-year-old on the active roster, but Ezukanma, who also doubles as a kick returner, might’ve done enough to stake his claim to a spot on the Eagles’ practice squad.

Dalton’s best throw of the day occurred during a late team period. The veteran signal caller ripped a pass over the middle to Smartt, hitting the tight end in stride despite blanket coverage from Carter II. Perfect ball placement.

O-line configurations

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

Kendall also mixed in with the first group at left guard, occasionally spelling Dickerson, who on Tuesday was given a rest day. Should injuries arise at any point – even in-game – the Eagles have armed themselves with a capable option. Kendall has received quite a bit of work this summer at left and right guard.

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

With Kendall also working with the starting offensive line, rookie Micah Morris took some reps at left guard.

* Second-year WR Darius Cooper followed up an uncharacteristic drop in the Eagles’ public practice – nearly resulting in a Quinyon Mitchell diving interception – with another in as many days. Dalton attempted a deep shot to Cooper that sailed a bit, but one that probably should have been reeled in. The pass deflected off Cooper’s hands and into the waiting arms of DB Michael Carter II for the interception. Carter, if you’ve been keeping score, finished training camp with three interceptions.

* Fifth-year RB Dameon Pierce wasn’t likely to push Will Shipley, given Shipley’s extensive special teams duties, but he had some nice moments early in camp before sustaining a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a chunk of training camp. On Wednesday, Pierce mixed in with the second team a bit and on one carry, showed nice acceleration on a run up the middle, sprung by Majors and Lampkin. Pierce could be a candidate for the practice squad.

* Undrafted rookie DBs Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley had some encouraging moments this summer, but of the two, at least from my perspective, Gushiken flashed a bit more. The Ole Miss product has repped at nickel and safety in camp, and swarms to the football. Gushiken was the defender in coverage when TE/FB Cam Latu was unable to pull in a McKee pass over the middle. Looked to be a concentration drop. Pulley, on the other hand, dished a nice thud on Smartt following a short completion.

* CB Ambry Thomas was flagged for defensive pass interference on a Dalton end zone shot to Gray. Rookie OLB Keyshawn James-Newby provided pressure on the play. Thomas also provided physical coverage on a Dalton pass to WR Elijah Moore earlier in the session, affecting the incompletion. In other reserve cornerback news, Shaun Wade was flagged in the end zone for being a little too handy with WR Brandon Hayes.

* The Eagles punt returners: WRs Britain Covey, Makai Lemon and Quez Watkins, along with DB Cooper DeJean.

*At the end of practice, the Eagles engaged in a catch circuit. On the far side of the field, executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman showcased his arm, rifling passes to Eagles’ DBs as they churned through the line. Fun moment to cap an eventful summer for the Eagles.

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