One Up

PHILADELPHIA — Following an off-day, the Eagles returned to the practice field on Sunday morning, the final time before heading to Foxborough for a joint practice with the New England Patriots.

The Sunday morning practice, categorized as “yellow,” covered roughly 95 minutes. While the session initially had a laid-back feel to it, with warmups and individuals lasting a tick more than 30 minutes, the structure would eventually revert back to one fixated on focus, detail and competitiveness.

ITB Photo: RBs Kenny Gainwell and Kendall Milton during a special teams drill.

In injury news, LB Oren Burks (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (shoulder), WR Parris Campbell (groin), S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) and TE Albert Okwuegbunam (abdomen) didn’t practice, while S Mehki Garner (hamstring), EDGE Patrick Johnson (lower leg contusion) and LB Brandon Smith (concussion) were limited.

Burks, for those curious, hasn’t practiced since Day 1 of camp after sustaining an injury during individuals.

With Calcaterra and Okwuegbunam sidelined, veteran C.J. Uzomah as well as E.J. Jenkins saw an uptick in reps.

Before practice, the Eagles announced the signing of S Caden Sterns. Linebacker Shaquille Quarterman was waived in a corresponding move.

Let’s move forward with the observations:

*Some relevant first team distinctions this morning, with Mekhi Becton lining up at right guard and WR Britain Covey — not Johnny Wilson or John Ross — lining up as the slot.

It can be assumed, at this point, that Becton is entrenched at right guard, as he seemingly widened the gap between himself and Tyler Steen throughout camp.

Covey is notable, as the third-year pass-catcher has far and away been the Eagles’ most impressive reserve vying for a role. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Covey is a sharp route-runner and has been extremely consistent in catching the football and being where quarterbacks are expecting him to be.

*Some highlights from 1-on-1s:

CB Kelee Ringo vs. WR Johnny Wilson: Wilson gives Ringo a stutter step at the line and runs an out, generating just enough separation to snare a diving catch working toward the sideline.

S Reed Blankenship vs. TE Dallas Goedert: Goedert gets a jump on Blankenship at the snap and gets vertical. With a few steps on Blankenship, Goedert easily tracks and reels in the pass in the end zone. S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, watching from afar, heckles Goedert after the play, suggesting a limited array of moves.

CB Eli Ricks vs. WR A.J. Brown: Brown gets physical with Ricks, appearing to push off, though Ricks was flagged. Brown brings in the short throw, while a seemingly exasperated Ricks half-heartedly throws his hands up.

CB Avonte Maddox vs. WR Britain Covey: A fun pairing throughout camp, Covey showcases nifty footwork, creating space against a trailing Maddox to bring in the intermediary throw.

S James Bradberry vs. TE C.J. Uzomah: Bradberry is quite handsy on the rep in an attempt to gain position, but wraps his hand around Uzomah to breakup up the pass. Bradberry’s length at safety gives him an advantage against tight ends.

CB Quinyon Mitchell vs. WR DeVonta Smith: Mitchell gets physical working against Smith, but ultimately disrupts the timing enough to breakup a throw to the left sideline. Blanket coverage. While Smith beat Mitchell on the first rep, the first-round rookie took the next two.

CB Josh Jobe vs. WR John Ross: Jobe, as he typically does, tries to check Ross at the line in an attempt to re-route, but Ross easily blazes past him him to bring in a perfect deep ball from Kenny Pickett.

*Fun competitive period to end practice. Among the series of reps included S Andre’ Sam getting a hand in to breakup a Tanner McKee throw intended for WR Ainias Smith.

Another rep during the series involved Wilson, who had a nice day. The lengthy wideout beat Mitchell, who had tremendous coverage on the play, down the left sideline on a go-route, eliciting a thunderous roar from the offense.

Then there was another rep, where LB Ben VanSumeren, on a rush, deconstructed a block from RB Lew Nichols for a narrow victory.

*Rarely mentioned in this space, but Sam, a rookie free agent, caught my attention. In addition to his end-of-practice pass deflection, the LSU product during a team period got a hand in to breakup a corner route to Jenkins on a ball thrown by McKee. He also showed some physicality coming downhill on a running play. Gardner-Johnson, watching alongside Sydney Brown in the end zone, was fired up on the play.

Another safety, Tristin McCollum — who performed well Friday night — plastered the middle field on a particular play, getting a hand in to breakup a pass over the middle intended for the 6-foot-6 Jenkins.

*Needless to say, Gardner-Johnson is incredibly vocal throughout practice. But when not ribbing offensive players from across the field, the veteran defensive back is often heard communicating from afar to Blankenship, calling out plays to watch for and commending some of the younger players. The backend communication this season should be vastly improved.

*Some highlights from a special teams period, focused on tracking and downing the football near the goal line. The gunner tandems were as followed:

CB Quinyon Mitchell and CB Kelee Ringo (Covey back to return the punt): Ringo flagged for kick-catch interference.

*S Tristin McCollum and CB Josh Jobe (Smith back to return the punt): Jobe attempts to field the ball on its way down but muffs it.

*CB Parry Nickerson and WR Jacob Harris: Harris fields and downs the punt inside the five-yard line.

*A.J. Brown was fired up today. Brown, who has had some fun battles working against CB Isaiah Rodgers, caught a slant on a 3rd-and-11 with Rodgers in coverage. Shortly after, it appeared Jalen Hurts held the ball a bit too long, but credit Rodgers for mirroring Brown step-for-step on the outside. Brown was frustrated.

Then in a situational drill, the scenario calling for a 1st-and-goal from the 8, Hurts appeared to fire a strike to Brown in the right corner of the end zone, though the officials ruled him out. Brown punted the ball toward a side field. The competitive juices were flowing this morning.

*Random observation: A couple of notable plays this morning involved RB Kenny Gainwell. On a running play, defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV — who keeps showing up — stormed into the backfield to stop him for a loss. And shortly after, Pickett tries to fit the ball in to Gainwell on a short wheel route for a score, but Gainwell was unable to separate from VanSumeren, who appeared to impede the timing.

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