Slowly but Surely

PHILADELPHIA — Amid steamy conditions, the warmest practice of the summer to this point, the Eagles returned to the Jefferson Health Training Complex practice fields for Day 7 of training camp.

ITB PHOTO/Andrew DiCecco: Eagles line doing drills during Friday’s practice

Friday’s practice, categorized as “green,” covered around 90 minutes or so. Head Coach Nick Sirianni spoke before practice, and we heard from DT Jordan Davis, TE Dallas Goedert, CB Mac McWilliams, WR Elijah Moore and RB Will Shipley afterwards.

The following Eagles were non-participants on Day 7: WR Britain Covey (hamstring), OLB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), WR Makai Lemon (hamstring), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring). Veteran OLB Jonathan Greenard (pec strain) remains on the active/physically unable to perform list.

Smith and Lemon have been sidelined for three consecutive practices, while Wisniewski has missed the past five.

Limited for the Eagles were LB Chance Campbell (groin), RT Lane Johnson (progressing his workload) and G Micah Morris (shoulder). Johnson returned to practice after missing the previous four, though he did not take part in team drills.

Philadelphia 76ers star Jaylen Brown was in attendance for Friday’s practice.

Let’s get to the observations.

*With Lane Johnson limited, rookie Markel Bell again filled in at right tackle. That’s now three consecutive practices that Bell has worked with the first unit, while veteran Fred Johnson functioned as the second-team left tackle. Bell, who has impressed with his movement skills, is gaining valuable on-the-job training repping against a dominant defensive front. Second-year pro Drew Kendall also mixed in with the 1s at left guard to give Dickerson a breather.

C Cam Jurgens took a trip to the medical tent midway through the session before ultimately heading indoors. We’ll learn more when the Eagles return to practice Saturday. In his absence, the Eagles called on second-year pro Jake Majors. If Jurgens is unable to go Saturday, I’ll be curious to see if the Eagles again roll out Majors at center or simply go with Kendall.

Kendall and Majors are centers by trade who have both crossed-trained at guard in this camp. Kendall, who has put together a nice camp, is the projected top interior backup, while Majors is battling for a roster spot. As I’ve written previously in this space, the latter is one I’ll be keeping an eye when preseason play kicks off.

The offensive line configurations on Friday:

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

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

Mildly notable that Lampkin, who on Wednesday repped with the second group at center, got some work at guard. Will be interesting to see if that continues on Saturday. When Majors replaced Jurgens, Lampkin moved to center, with rookie Micah Morris elevating to second-team right guard.

Third team (L-R): LT Myles Hinton, LG Michael Jordan, C Willie Lampkin, RG Micah Morris, RT Cameron Williams

*While Jalen Hurts didn’t attempt many throws in this one, the Eagles quarterback had an efficient morning, delivering a handful of short-to-intermediate throws in rhythm. His first completion came on a well-designed play to WR Elijah Moore. Hurts also connected with TE Dallas Goedert for a short completion over the middle, who sat down in front of CB Riq Woolen.

*The Eagles opened with a receiving trio that included Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Moore, but from a production standpoint, this day belonged to Darius Cooper and Johnny Wilson who shined on this day.

Cooper, who has dazzled in all seven practices, got things started early, reeling in a bullet over the middle from Jalen Hurts despite tight coverage from CB Quinyon Mitchell. Later, Cooper pulled in a well-placed pass along the sideline from QB Tanner McKee. The second-year receiver continues to stack days.

Wilson, who has been relatively quiet of late, beat second-year CB Mac McWilliams down the field to haul in an Andy Dalton pass during team period. The completion was short of the end zone. Wilson also did a nice job of using his frame for positioning in the back of the end zone on a good ball from McKee, winning a jump-ball scenario. CB Jonathan Jones was the defender in coverage.

*Daily QB2 update: The Eagles continue to rotate there, with Tanner McKee getting the nod first on Saturday. In addition to his touchdown strike to Wilson, the fourth-year quarterback also rifled one in to WR Danny Gray along the sideline. I thought Friday was McKee’s best practice this summer. Late in the session, Dalton went after CB Ambry Thomas on consecutive completions to WRs Erik Ezukanma and Brandon Hayes, respectively. Earlier, the veteran signal-caller tried to fit one in to WR Samori Toure, but Carter II had the receiver blanketed.

*Michael Carter II has put together a quality week of practice. For one, as Fangio pointed out Wednesday, the veteran defensive back is wearing three different hats on the backend. But it’s been the ranginess and play speed that have really stood out. It appears as though he’s becoming increasingly more comfortable in the defense and has a firm grasp on his assignments. Smart football player. I’ll continue to watch him closely.

*The Eagles defensive line is always active, but I thought DT Jordan Davis had a particularly strong morning, providing penetration from the interior. The fifth-year pro picked up a “sack” early in the session. On Wednesday, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke about Davis’ development as a pass-rusher:

“It first started towards the end of the ’24 season,” he said. “He got in better shape. He’s a much better pass rusher in the 330s than what he was. That, to me, is the biggest thing. He’s 6’6″, right? What is he? 6’5″– We’ll call it 6’6″ for discussion. He needs to be 6’6″ when it’s to his advantage, and he needs to bend his knees and be 6’3″ when he needs to be. When you’re in better shape, weighing less, that’s easier to do and you can do it for a longer time. That’s what’s made his game take off.”

*Rookie free agent DB Kapena Gushiken showed good finish on the backend of what appeared to be a completion from Hurts to TE E.J. Jenkins. Gushiken jarred the ball loose at the last moment.

*Hurts celebrated his 28th birthday Friday. During the post-practice breakdown, his teammates sang “Happy Birthday.”