Prelude To Pads

PHILADELPHIA – On the heels of a scheduled off day, the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex practice field Monday under sweltering conditions. The session very much felt like a ramp-up  – with players in shells and shorts – ahead of transitioning Tuesday to full pads.

The session, categorized as “yellow,” covered around 98 minutes. Nick Sirianni addressed the media prior to practice for the second time this camp.

The defense feasted on this day, largely getting the better of the high-powered Eagles offense. In particular, it was plastering coverage that gave the collective quarterback room fits, forcing them to frequently evacuate the pocket and hold the ball a tick too long. Vic Fangio’s defense produced a pair of interceptions.

As for Monday’s status report, WR Danny Gray (finger), LB Smael Mondon Jr. (illness), S Drew Mukuba (shoulder) and WR DeVonta Smith (back tightness) didn’t practice. Mukuba got dinged during Saturday’s practice following a collision with Gray.

LB Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), DT Jalen Carter (shoulder), G Kenyon Green (knee) and C Cam Jurgens (back) were limited. Carter participated in practice for the first time this summer and proved disruptive on multiple occasions.

Spotted former NFL quarterback and coach Jason Garrett, now with NBC Sports, taking in practice. He chatted briefly with RB Saquon Barkley before the session. Garrett was Barkley’s OC with the Giants in 2020 and the first part of 2021.

ITB PHOTO: Eagles DT Gabe Hall and fellow defensive players stretch in their first 2025 training camp practice in shorts and shells.

Let’s get to the practice observations.

* The competition at cornerback between third-year pro Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson appears as though Jackson is pulling ahead. For reference, Jackson again opened with the first-team defense for the third consecutive practice. While Ringo also worked in with the 1s, it’s fair to say Jackson has stood out a bit more through four practices. Entering his ninth NFL season, the 29-year-old moves with urgency and carries himself as one would expect from a seasoned vet. It’s obviously early in the game, but Jackson has proven he can still play. More on him later.

* Versatile second-year DB Cooper DeJean again reprised his role at safety alongside Reed Blankenship in base defense, but with Mukuba sidelined, Sydney Brown joined Blankenship with the first team when the defense switched to its nickel look and handled the lion’s share of the reps.

* The starting linebacker tandem again included Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., though rookie Jihaad Campbell again mixed in. Without Mondon Jr., second-year LB Dallas Gant saw an uptick in reps. Gant, by the way, is a solid special teamer who seems destined for the practice squad.

* The numbers shortage at wide receiver bumped second-year wide receiver Ainias Smith up to the first team. The primary receiver contingent included A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson and Smith, who continues to operate with far more confidence than last summer.

*I’ve mentioned previously the Eagles like fourth-year OL Darian Kinnard and I even put him on my pre-camp 53-man roster projection. On Monday, Kinnard and veteran Matt Pryor rotated as the second-team right tackle and right guard. Kinnard, who repped some at right guard last summer when Steen injured his ankle, carries developmental upside and versatility. Through the first three practices, Pryor had been repping exclusively at right guard with the 2s. Something to file away, perhaps.

* This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, but CB Quinyon Mitchell has had a strong camp through four practices. I’ve previously noted impressive reps working against Brown and Smith, but Monday saw Mitchell come away with the first interception of camp. During a team period, Hurts hoisted a throw off his back foot in the direction of Brown along the right sideline that was underthrown and Mitchell was there to secure the interception, much to the delight of DBs coach Christian Parker. Mitchell, who also aligned on the right side some Monday, also beautifully defended a pass to Brown earlier in the period, rendering the pass incomplete.

* The second interception of practice occurred during a 7-on-7 period, when rookie Kyle McCord attempted an ill-fated pass over the middle to TE E.J. Jenkins. Fourth-year CB Tariq Castro-Fields jumped in front to secure the interception that would have resulted in a pick-six. One thing I’ve noticed about McCord is that his “gunslinger” mentality.

Brown nearly added to the total but was unable to corral an errant Tanner McKee pass over the middle to TE Cameron Latu. Brown read the play perfectly, however, reading McKee’s eyes and jumping the route.

* The punt returners Monday included Ainias Smith, Jahan Dotson, Giles Jackson, Taylor Morin and Avery Williams. Getting back to Smith for a moment, if he proves in the preseason he can provide added value in the return game, it’ll obviously boost his roster chances significantly.

* Among the more highly anticipated drills throughout camp is 1-on-1s, and here are some of the highlights I jotted down:

A.J. Brown vs. Quinyon Mitchell

Brown used his body for positioning and reeled in the back shoulder throw from Hurts. Brown also won the next rep, again using his body to snatch the ball away from his frame on another back shoulder. Not much Mitchell could do there.

Ainias Smith vs. Cooper DeJean

DeJean provided tight coverage, but Smith used his shiftiness to create separation at the top of the route to win the rep. Smith strung together two quality reps against DeJean, showcasing suddenness and short-area quickness.

Johnny Wilson vs. Eli Ricks

Ricks got physical with the big-bodied Wilson, using his length to get a hand in to breakup the pass.

Keilan Robinson vs. Jihaad Campbell

Robinson ran a nice route, shaking Campbell for an easy underneath completion. Campbell had a rough go of it this period when operating in space.

Taylor Morin vs. A.J. Woods

Fairly matched in terms of size, Woods denied Morin on a deep shot down the far sideline with a breakup and was noticeably fired up after the rep.

Elijah Cooks vs. Adoree’ Jackson

Cooks soared above Jackson along the sideline to bring in the jump ball. Cooks, as noted, had some nice moments on Saturday.

And just as I was anticipating a showdown between FB Ben VanSumeren vs. Baun, the horn sounded.

* During a drill designed for gunners to locate and make a play on the ball, Sydney Brown and CB Parry Nickerson made the notebook. Brown, on one occasion, sold out to bat the ball in play, but WR Elijah Cooks seemingly lost his bearing and ventured into the end zone. Special teams assistant Tyler Brown chatted with Cooks about his lapse. Nickerson did well to track the football and reel it in, preserving field position.

* Active practice for Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who swarmed Barkley on a short sideline toss that fell incomplete and collected a pass breakup to Smith. Trotter Jr. also showcased his play recognition on multiple occasions in run fits.

* I’ve been impressed with fifth-round rookie CB Mac McWilliams, who has had a solid start to camp. McWilliams, who gives up considerable size to most wideouts, largely held his own in 1-on-1s and rejected a corner route to the 6-foot-6 Johnny Wilson during a red zone period. He also saw some action in dime packages. It’s early, sure, but the rookie has shown plus instincts and a willingness to attack the football. If he continues to come along at nickel, it’ll present DC Vic Fangio with potentially more optionality.

* Adoree’ Jackson did well during a team period to deny a sideline completion to WR Terrace Marshall. There was some deliberating on whether Marshall should get tagged with the drop or Jackson with the PBU, but we’re giving it to Jackson, who affected the throw ever-so-slightly.

* Tanner McKee throws the ball with such zip and touch. During a team period, he threaded a perfect intermediate pass to WR Johnny Wilson, just over S Tristin McCollum.

* While uncharacteristic to see because quarterbacks wear red practice jerseys, Campbell during a late red zone period got to McKee in the backfield and dislodged the ball from the third-year quarterback.

* Reserve QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson acquitted himself well on this day. During a red zone period, Thompson-Robinson tossed a dart in the back of the end zone to an open TE Kylen Granson, but after a bobble or two, the veteran TE was unable to bring it in. Thompson-Robinson ended practice with a bullet to TE Nick Muse, hitting him in stride with Brown trailing.

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