PHILADELPHIA — Weather forced the Eagles, returning to practice following a scheduled day off, indoors on Day 4. The team donned pads on Monday, and the most eventful practice through the first four sessions provided plenty of takeaways.
On Tuesday, the intensity promises to amplify, as the Eagles will hit for the first time this summer.
Monday’s session clocked in around 1 hour, 40 minutes.
ITB Photo: The Philadelphia Eagles practiced indoors on Monday.
The following Eagles were non-participants on Day 4: OLB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), RT Lane Johnson (excused/not injury related), G Micah Morris (shoulder), G Jaeden Roberts (calf contusion), S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring).
Listed as limited was OT Cameron Williams (knee contusion), but the second-year pro participated in team drills, repping with the third unit.
It’s also worth noting that while rookie WR Makai Lemon was a participant during individuals, he did not take part in team drills. Something to monitor heading into Tuesday’s practice.
Let’s get to the observations.
*The offense delivered its most encouraging performance of the summer. This is important to keep in mind, as there will be ebbs and flows as the new-look offense combats both growing pains and defensive dominance. What you should be looking for is continuous improvement throughout the summer. That said, it was a strong day of practice for Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, who established an early rhythm. Hurts got the party started during 11-on-11s — first-team offense versus the second-team defense — with a deep crosser to WR Dontayvion Wicks and later rifled a nice anticipatory throw over the middle, hooking up with WR Elijah Moore. Hurts again connected with Moore during a 7-on-7 period, ripping a deep post between the safeties for a touchdown.
Hurts also tossed an early interception to CB Quinyon Mitchell during a 7-on-7 period. For context, there seemed to be a miscommunication between Hurts and Moore. Still, Moore has had some bright moments. He has been one of the five best receivers in camp.
There was another instance in which Hurts targeted RB Tank Bigsby, who had decent position on LB Zack Baun, deep down the sideline, but the pass was long and outside.
During an 11-on-11 red zone period, Hurts first found WR DeVonta Smith on a tight out-route, fitting it inside the right pylon in front of CB Jonathan Jones. Good touch and timing there between quarterback and wide receiver. Hurts went right back to Smith on the ensuing snap, rolling right and fitting in the pass in front of CB Riq Woolen.
*Daily QB2 update: The Eagles continue to rotate there, with Andy Dalton getting the nod Monday. The veteran QB showed well. Some highlights included a pinpoint pass to WR Hollywood Brown between Jones and S Andre’ Sam. Dalton also found WR Johnny Wilson over the middle on multiple occasions. He also did well to keep his composure on a third-and-8 red zone scenario. Dalton scanned the field before checking it down to his right, finding a wide-open RB Will Shipley, who waltzed into the end zone untouched. Dalton then found Brown, working against CB Ambry Thomas, on a well-placed out-route.
Tanner McKee also had his chance to pilot a third-and-8. It looked as though he initially wanted WR Danny Gray, running out-route to right — similar to the one Smith cashed-in on — but rookie DB Kapena Gushiken did a nice job reacting quickly and taking it away. McKee held the ball and heaved it into the back of the end zone. It looked like TE Stone Smartt was the intended receiver. Rookie S Maximus Pulley managed to corral it, but it was ruled incomplete.
Rookie QB Cole Payton had a couple of notable completions during developmental, including one along the far side to rookie TE Dae’Quon Wright that was short of the end zone. He ended practice in style, though, firing a pass into the back of the end zone to WR Erik Ezukanma, who initially bobbled the pass, but eventually secured it for the touchdown with CB Tariq Castro-Fields closing. On the two-point play, Payton found Smartt, who sat down in front of LB Chance Campbell. The North Dakota State product is a fun watch.
On Ezukanma, the 2022 fourth-round pick was the apple of Payton’s eye earlier in practice, with the young gunslinger heaving up a risky prayer with a sea of defenders converging. Pulley was there to break it up.
During the developmental period, rookie Uar Bernard collected his first “sack.” The backend coverage did the heavy-lifting there, but credit Bernard for making the play.
*The first-team offensive line was as followed (L-R): LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens, RG Tyler Steen, RT Fred Johnson.
Second team (L-R): LT John Ojukwu, LG Jake Majors, C Drew Kendall*, RG Michael Jordan, RT Markel Bell.
Third team (L-R): LT Hollin Pierce, LG Myles Hinton, C Willie Lampkin, RG Michael Jordan, RT Cameron Williams.
*Breaking: The Eagles’ defensive line is loaded. On one occasion, during team, Bigsby took a handoff from Dalton but was met by fourth-year pro Byron Young. Credit Moro Ojomo, though, for creating the penetration.
*As mentioned, Lemon did not partake in team drills. Fellow rookie Eli Stowers did, however, securing a short toss from McKee and absorbing a thud from Baun early in practice. He later had a would-be reception ripped away by OLB Arnold Ebiketie. Ebiketie, by the way, has flashed a bit over the past two practices. For those wondering, Johnny Mundt remains entrenched as the team’s No. 2 tight end. The blocking-centric veteran even snared a crosser from Hurts during an early team period.
While on the subject of reserve pass rushers, I’ve taken notice of veteran A.J. Epenesa at different points through the first four practices. The former Buffalo Bill took advantage of the sticky downfield coverage and collected McKee for a “sack” during an 11-on-11 period.
*Fifth-year LB Chance Campbell did well to sniff out an early Saquon Barkley run early in the session. Campbell made a similar play during the spring, highlighting his instincts. The former Tennessee Titans draft pick seems to have a good understanding of his assignments and plays fast. He’ll be fun to watch this preseason.
*Another quality outing for those a bit further down in the Eagles’ receiving hierarchy. Second-year pro Darius Cooper, who has made a notable play each practice, extended to reel in an impressive grab from Hurts on a 2nd-and-5 scenario. As previously mentioned, Wilson secured a pair of intermediary throws from Dalton, and Britain Covey and Quez Watkins have mostly made the most of their opportunities.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.
