Heat Wave

PHILADELPHIA — In an attempt to combat the scorching heat Saturday morning, the Eagles moved practice up a half an hour. The eighth practice of the summer was probably the hottest, but the team powered through an active session that nearly reached the two-hour mark.

Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion spoke before practice, and RT Lane Johnson, LB Jihaad Campbell, WR Tay Wicks, OL Drew Kendall, WR Johnny Wilson and QB Cole Payton met with reporters afterwards.

The Eagles have an off-day Sunday and return to the practice field Monday at 10 a.m.

The following Eagles were non-participants on Day 8: WR Britain Covey (hamstring), WR Danny Gray (concussion), OLB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), WR Makai Lemon (hamstring), WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and 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 four consecutive practices, while Wisniewski has missed the past six. Before practice, Lemon was spotted on a far field, snaring passes from the JUGS machine and during a special teams period, Smith was stationed on a neighboring field, catching passes in the end zone from all four quarterbacks.

Limited for the Eagles were LB Chance Campbell (groin). That means that RT Lane Johnson (progressing his workload) and G Micah Morris (shoulder) were full-go after being listed as limited on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after practice, Johnson revealed that the 2026 season is “probably” going to be his last year.

C Cam Jurgens, who on Friday visited the medical tent before going inside, was back on the practice field Saturday morning. The fifth-year pro did head indoors with about five minutes remaining in the session, however. Second-year OL Drew Kendall replaced him at center. Earlier in practice, RB Elijah Mitchell took a trip to the medical tent. RB Dameon Pierce also left practice early.

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler was in attendance for Saturday’s practice.

Let’s get to the observations.

*Before kicking off team period, the Eagles devoted some time to special teams. On the far side of the middle field, the Eagles deployed four punt returners: WR Elijah Moore, WR Quez Watkins, WR Brandon Hayes and RB Tank Bigsby. Covey stood with the group, absorbing mental reps.

Of the names listed, the one that’s most notable is Moore. The veteran receiver has delivered when his number has been called on offense, but his resume is light on special teams experience. As a depth receiver, to crack the 53, special teams impact generally factors prominently in the decision-making process. And while Moore hasn’t had much experience returning punts, he looks comfortable doing so.

On Friday, he spoke about his comfort level as a returner:

“I think it’s something that I got to continue to work on since I haven’t really done it since college,” he said after Friday’s practice. “I’ve done it a couple games in Cleveland, but I haven’t really done it consistently. It’s something that I gotta really focus and continue to put my best foot forward out here and then kick return as well. You know, wherever they need me, I want to be able to be available for that.”

*The offensive line configurations on Saturday:

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

Kendall took some snaps at LG, while rookie Markel Bell mixed in at RT.

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

This was the second consecutive practice in which Lampkin cross-trained at guard, which is notable. The Eagles seem to be taking a long look at the second-year pro.

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

*Perhaps the most entertaining sequence of the morning occurred late in the workout, during a situational period. Hurts, rebounded from an incompletion on the previous play, lofted a well-placed pass to TE Dallas Goedert in the front right corner of the end zone. The pass was just out of reach for LB Jihaad Campbell, who provided pretty good coverage on the play. The chemistry between Hurts and Goedert is something.

On the ensuing two-point play, Hurts connected Moore on a crosser.

*Yes, he was the player in coverage on the aforementioned touchdown, but I thought Campbell had a active practice. The second-year LB got things started early, bearing down on Jalen Hurts for what would have been a sack, but the play continued, with Hurts connecting with WR Hollywood Brown on a crosser. Campbell was often involved in run support throughout the session, and he just closes on the ball with extreme quickness. A good example of that came on a play in which Barkley stretched it left, but Campbell tracked him down, squeezing him toward sideline. He covers a ton of ground.

Keeping with the position, Zack Baun probably doesn’t get talked about enough, but he’s incredibly consistent. He managed to corral a Hurts interception on a pass over the middle. Baun’s high-level instincts were on full display.

*I noticed a lot of energy from the running backs this morning. The group ran hard and, in some cases, delivered a pop. Saquon Barkley lowered his shoulder on DB Cooper DeJean as he crossed the goal line during a red zone period, and Tank Bigsby, on a run in which he bounced out to the left, threw a shoulder into S J.T. Gray. Will Shipley also produced a couple of gritty inside runs and Carson Steele ran with some authority in his opportunities. He also had a thunderous blitz pickup.

I’ll call my shot now: Steele will become a preseason favorite.

*Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo provided a ton of disruption from the interior on Saturday, which has been a common theme this summer. Ojomo brought good pressure up the middle to force a Hurts incompletion late in the session and showcased his quickness and power at the point of attack. Carter logged a batted pass and nearly came away with another, but Hurts, rolling right, managed to drop it right over the outstretched arms of Carter to fit the pass in to TE Johnny Mundt.

Speaking of defensive tackles, second-year pro Ty Robinson saw some reps with the first team. That’s the first time Robinson, who has been working with the second unit of late, has repped with the first unit.

*Daily QB2 update: The Eagles continue to rotate there, with Andy Dalton getting the nod first on Saturday. Hurts, Dalton and McKee took all the reps in team drills, with rookie Cole Payton getting his turn during the developmental period at the end of practice. Payton ripped a nice throw to WR Samori Toure on an in-breaker with CB Shaun Wade in coverage. Payton was also picked along the left sideline by rookie S Maximus Pulley.

*I’ve mentioned S Michael Carter II previously in this space, and the veteran defender garnered some first team work in nickel opposite Drew Mukuba. Mukuba, by the way, made a nice play in run support, coming up and sticking Shipley. Second-year CB Mac McWilliams also repped some with the second unit when the Eagles elected to give Quinyon Mitchell a breather.

*I want to take a moment and highlight second-year OL Willie Lampkin. His 5-11, 290-pound listing is a stretch, but Lampkin moves well, appears to play with good technique and has showcased an ability to anchor.

Cross-training along the offensive line is something that was expected after hearing from OL coach Chris Kuper in the spring, so perhaps working Lampkin at guard was part of the plan. Regardless, he hardly looks out of his depth. He’ll be one to keep an eye on.

*Rookie TE Eli Stowers rebounded after a rough drop, reeling in at least three passes during team period. It’s good to see Stowers involved after a slow start to camp. TE/FB Cam Latu also tallied a pair of catches during team. Latu is lauded for his physicality, but I believe he can also factor as a pass-catcher.