Dog Day Afternoon

PHILADELPHIA — If ever there were a day that best depicted the term “dog days of summer,” Monday would be it.

It was the type of scorching summer morning during the marathon of an NFL training camp practice that typically elicits a scrap between players.

While no scuffles broke out, the 94-minute, full-padded session – categorized as “green” – showcased a level of intensity and focus, with an eye toward Friday’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

Monday’s practice also marked the return of legend Jason Kelce, as the former Eagles center was on hand to observe practice.

In injury news, LB Oren Burks (knee), WR Parris Campbell (groin), S Mehki Garner (hamstring), LB Brandon Smith (concussion) didn’t practice, while OL Mekhi Becton (illness), CB Josh Jobe (concussion), CB Eli Ricks (illness) and G Tyler Steen (ankle) were limited.

Becton reprised his role as first-team right guard, though it’s worth mentioning that Steen – who opened camp as the starter – didn’t receive work in any team drills as he makes his way back.

Monday’s fresh set of injuries included a pair of key contributors on both sides of the ball – S C.J. Gardner-Johnson and C Cam Jurgens. Both left practice early. Gardner-Johnson’s first-team replacement was James Bradberry.

Light on numbers at LB with Burks sidelined, the Eagles before practice announced the signing of veteran LB Shaquille Quarterman. Quarterman, 26, participated in the Eagles’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles S CJ Gardner Johnson kneels with “Reggie White Lurie,” dog of owner Jeffrey Lurie, before practice.

Let’s get to the observations:

* Sometimes training camp acts as a mirage, unveiling looks, tendencies and personnel deployments that never end up materializing during the regular-season. With that, however, it’s time to start believing buzz surrounding rookie WR Johnny Wilson.

Wilson, who has seen a major uptick in first-team looks with Parris Campbell sidelined, again seized his opportunity. Functioning as an inside and outside receiver, he uses his 6-foot-7 frame advantageously. During a red zone play near the end of practice, Wilson skied above CB Kelee Ringo in the back middle of the end zone to reel in the pass from Jalen Hurts, who was rolling to his right.

Hurts, by the way, continues to exhibit trust in Wilson, as evidenced with the timing and ball placement. Wilson also dazzled during the 1-on-1 period, notably shaking off Ringo on a crossing route and extending to secure the football. His enormous catch radius has really stood out.

* The prospects of LB Nakobe Dean prying away a starting job from Zack Baun becomes unlikely by the day, with Dean continuing to appear a tick slow in pass coverage, but the third-year pro has been a force when playing downhill, where his instincts come into play. On one rep, Dean shot through the gap and pushed RB Will Shipley into QB Kenny Pickett for the would-be sack.

Unsurprisingly given his success at Georgia, Dean has showed well as a blitzer. Shipley, at least in terms of pass protection, has had some down moments lately and needs some time to develop that area of his game.

* Tough day for rookie fifth-round WR Ainias Smith. During the 1-on-1 session, Smith dropped a crosser despite separating from CB Tyler Hall. He responded by doing push-ups following the sequence. On the ensuing rep, Tanner McKee lofted a pass toward the sideline in Smith’s direction, but the throw was undercut by Hall, who secured the interception.

Smith and QB Tanner McKee were unable to connect during an ensuing period in which the offense was backed up. While his reps have been limited with at least six players ahead in the pecking order, Smith hasn’t exactly cashed in on his opportunities.

* In other 1-on-1s, CB Eli Ricks, in coverage against WR John Ross, drew a penalty flag running with Ross down the sideline. Ricks was also quite handsy on his next rep, this time against WR Griffin Hebert. After playing far more patient and seemingly trusting his technique earlier in camp, Ricks wasn’t nearly as composed.

As previously noted, the stop-start suddenness and detailed route-running from WR Britain Covey has been fun to watch. On Monday, Covey put veteran CB Avonte Maddox in a blender, separating and reeling in the long pass.

For as athletically gifted and twitched-up as CB Isaiah Rodgers is, the veteran – of slight build – has been vulnerable against big-bodied pass-catchers. On Sunday, A.J. Brown leapt to secure a jump ball in the end zone. Today, size mismatch hurt him against WR Joseph Ngata, who worked back to the football to haul in the contested catch, outmuscling Rodgers.

* LB Zack Baun has been the Eagles’ most consistent linebacker through camp. During a red-zone drill, Hurts fielded the snap, tossing it across the field to RB Saquon Barkley – who was promptly met by Baun, who read it the whole way. Although on another rep Baun was a tick slow reacting and getting over to impede a short touchdown toss to RB Lew Nichols, who beat him to the right pylon, Baun has largely been quick to process, and finishes plays.

As for Nichols, the Central Michigan product runs with good pad level and has some juice. As a receiver, Nichols has fielded passes cleaner than expected. I’m expecting a volume-based preseason for Nichols, who seems destined for the practice squad. Of the bubble running backs, I have Nichols ahead of rookie Kendall Milton and Ty Davis-Price.

* Another banner day for WR DeVonta Smith, who flashed a multifaceted skill set during a red-zone period. On the first of two plays, the Slim Reaper, running a slant, put a move on S Reed Blankenship to gain position and bring in the touchdown over the middle. The next one was when Smith motioned right, remaining uncovered and hauled in the touchdown in the right corner of the end zone. The play was reminiscent of what the Chiefs ran in Super Bowl LVII.

* Strong showing from rookie free agent CB Shon Stephens, who has flashed at times despite minimal reps. Working on a scenario in which the offense was backed up, Tanner McKee fired a pass to Will Shipley, with the pass ricocheting off his hands and into waiting arms of Stephens, who turned on the jets to complete the pick-six.

Later in the session, Stephens knifed in to get a hand on Davis-Price during a live period to limit a potentially big gain. Stephens, who punched his ticket to training camp following a successful tryout, has already defied the odds. But something tells me he’ll come up with a play or two in the preseason, perhaps positioning himself for a spot on the practice squad.

* Brett Toth has been on and off the roster since 2019, but it’s evident the team sees the value in keeping him around. Toth, who can play tackle, guard and center, has caught my eye the past few practices with his physicality and relentlessness as a blocker. Whether it was a “yellow” practice like Sunday’s, where Toth threw a nice shoulder into edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, or his consistency during 1-on-1s, Toth has responded well in his extended look. I’m starting to sense he has a decent shot at sticking on the 53-man roster.

* In other 1-on-1s – offensive line versus defensive line – edge rusher Bryce Huff managed to get around the mountainous Jordan Mailata. Third-year DT Thomas Booker IV, who also registered a pass deflection, shined in a powerful bullrush rep against Matt Hennessy. Booker, by the way, has made plays in each of the past three practices. Veteran Julian Okwara easily defeated Darian Kinnard, who barely touched him. And rookie sixth-round pick Dylan McMahon, recently bumped up to second-team center, looked patient and technical in his reps. He stood out to me on multiple occasions.

* Second-year DT Moro Ojomo continues to be disruptive, making plays in the backfield and showcasing physicality at the point of attack. The Texas product has shown advanced hand usage and looks more explosive off the line, suggesting a more prominent role is in store in 2024.

“Football is violent and I think you just have to set the tone,” he had said Sunday. “Any great football defensive lineman has to have a level of power and violence to his game.”

*Among the edge players vying for a depth role, it’s been third-year pro Patrick Johnson who has stood out. Aside from his powerful rep working against Kinnard during an off-script session, Johnson also defeated OT Anim Dankwah with an impressive move during 1-on-1s.

Johnson, who worked with former Eagles DL coach Pete Jenkins in Texas for two weeks during the offseason to refine his pass rush, said Monday that he added 10 pounds of lean muscle mass while training in Arizona and reduced his body fat to 17% within six weeks. According to Johnson this is the strongest and fastest he’s ever been. Keep an eye on him.

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