Eagles preseason grades vs. Ravens: Offense struggles to move the ball, defensive line shows flashes

BALTIMORE — Instant grades on the Eagles’ performance in their 24-7 loss to the Ravens:

Jalen Hurts and the first offense, as expected, didn’t suit up. Andy Dalton got the start ahead of Tanner McKee. Dalton had a shaky first three drives as the Eagles didn’t pick up a first down. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards. He would have tossed a deflected interception had his dump to running back Tank Bigsby not hit the ground.

McKee was next under center. He worked with mostly the third unit. He was just as unspectacular, although he didn’t have the benefit of working with the second offense. He hit Darius Cooper for 13 yards at one point. McKee was sacked when he failed to recognize a nickel dog blitz in the third quarter. He completed 6 of 10 passes for just 35 yards. Neither quarterback won the No. 2 spot on this night.

» READ MORE: Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are battling for QB2 duties. Saturday didn’t provide much clarity on who’s ahead.

Rookie Cole Payton drove the Eagles to their lone score — a 6-yard touchdown pass to receiver Erik Ezukanma in the back corner of the end zone. Payton didn’t do much within structure. But he extended plays, made throws and scrambled for 45 yards.

Saquon Barkley was among the dozen or so players who didn’t participate in pregame warmups. The running back tweaked his ankle in camp on Thursday. Bigsby finished with just five yards on two carries. He didn’t appear to have much room the run.

Will Shipley was next up. He had more success running behind the third unit offensive line, and had two 8-yard rushes to the right. He ran seven times for 22 yards. Carson Steele was in the backfield for mop-up duty.

Ja’Quinden Jackson had one catch for 11 yards.

Eagles quarterback Cole Payton moves the football down the field and passes to Chukwuerika "Erik" Ezukanma to score a touchdown late during the fourth quarter of a preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Baltimore, Md.Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer

Dontayvion Wicks appears to have locked up the No. 2 job. He was the only non-injured wide receiver to be inactive. Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore dressed and played. Brown caught one pass for four yards. Moore picked up a couple yards on an end around. They were the first receivers to be pulled.

Darius Cooper, despite his strong camp, played deep into the game. He had a Dalton heater glance off his hands. His 13-yard grab from McKee gave the Eagles their initial first down. Cooper caught just 2 of 5 targets.

Tight ends Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt were given the night off. Rookie Eli Stowers has been working with the third unit during camp, but he started with Grant Calcaterra at tight end. Stowers was often McKee’s outlet and caught three passes for 12 yards. His blocking was up and down and he committed a holding penalty on Bigsby’s first carry. Calcaterra had a grab for eight yards.

» READ MORE: Eagles backups fail to generate fireworks in preseason opener, fall 24-7 at Ravens

Cameron Latu couldn’t haul in a McKee pass in the third quarter. E.J. Jenkins won at the point of attack on a Shipley 8-yard tote to the right.

Rookie Markel Bell started at right tackle. He appeared to hold up in pass protection. He had a seal block that helped spring Shipley for eight yards. Fred Johnson started at left tackle. He had a false start on the opening series. Johnson played just the Eagles’ first three possessions.

Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin swapped positions — left guard and center — early on. They didn’t stand out on either side of the ledger. The fact both were among the first O-linemen pulled indicated they should make the final roster.

Jake Majors took over at center with McKee at quarterback. He committed a holding penalty in the second quarter. Rookie Micah Morris and the rest of the third unit O-line didn’t get much push on the ground. Payton was also under pressure a lot. Morris had a late hold.

The Eagles, to some surprise, rested most of their defensive starters. Their backup interior group looked strong against the Ravens’ No. 2 offensive line. Defensive tackle Byron Young won often up front and got penetration as a run defender and pass rusher. Ty Robinson notched an early sack when he beat the left guard at the snap. The second-year defensive tackle’s name wasn’t called as much the rest of the way, at least until he roughed the passer in the fourth quarter. Gabe Hall played a bunch of snaps at D-tackle and mostly held up.

Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie started on the edge with A.J. Epenesa. He set the edge on a first quarter Ravens run that netted a couple yards. Epenesa defeated a tight end to make an early run stop. The Ravens took advantage of Epenesa, who had never played in a 3-4 scheme, dropping into coverage with a 29-yard pass downfield. Epenesa nearly had a pick when he dropped the ball in the second quarter. Both edges were done before the half.

Rookie defensive tackle Uar Bernard, who was playing in his first-ever game, looked like a novice, as expected. Joshua Weru was playing in his first game ever, too, but didn’t seem as raw. The undrafted rookie displayed his burst when he was unblocked off the edge and was credited with a quarterback hit. Outside linebacker Tarron Jackson picked up a late sack.

Jihaad Campbell was the only projected starter on defense to play. He had three total tackles and was pulled after two series. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. started alongside Campbell. He had five tackles before the break, including a sack on a delayed blitz. Trotter didn’t play in the second half.

Smael Mondon took a few bad angles in the first half as a second level run defender. He had positives, though, and was effective when he blitzed. Mondon shed a block and made a run stop at the line on the last play of the third quarter.

Starters Quinyon Mitchell (glute) and Cooper DeJean (groin) were recently added to the injury list, but they wouldn’t have played anyway. Riq Woolen, Mitchell’s counterpart on the outside, was also in street clothes.

Jakorian Bennett started opposite Kelee Ringo at outside cornerback. He left with an injury during the Ravens’ first drive. Ambry Thomas took Bennett’s place. He did fine. Ringo had an interception in the end zone just before the half. His pass interference penalty a play earlier gave the Ravens first-and-goal at the 5-yard line. But he rebounded. Earlier, Ringo was in coverage when Ravens receiver Ja’Kobi Lane caught a 16-yard touchdown on a dig route.

Mac McWilliams started in the slot. The second-year corner struggled some. He allowed a few catches in the first half including a 19-yard pass that set up the Ravens’ first points. He was called for holding in the second quarter. McWilliams led the Eagles with 10 tackles.

Cornerback Shaun Wade got beat and slipped on a short pass in the third quarter. But he got up and punched the ball out for a forced fumble that Thomas recovered. Thomas also had seven stops.

Marcus Epps didn’t dress, indicating that he all but has the nickel safety spot locked down. Starter Andrew Mukuba didn’t suit up despite not playing in a game since he broke his leg last November.

Michael Carter II and Andre’ Sam were the first pair of safeties. Carter had tight coverage early in the second quarter and forced a high throw from quarterback Joe Fagnano. He made an open field run stop later on. Sam was late to help Ringo on the Lane touchdown.

The Eagles allowed a 19-yard punt return, but the cover units were mostly sound. Quez Watkins was first up to return kicks. Ezukanma averaged 25.7 yards on three kick returns. Britain Covey handled punt returns. He had a fair catch.

Kicker Jake Elliott could have taken the night off save for one kickoff and extra point. It would have been nice to see him try a few field goals in light of his recent down seasons. Punter Braden Mann was busier. He averaged 47.6 yards on eight punts. Rookie long snapper Rocco Underwood didn’t have any glaring snafus.

Nick Sirianni has historically placed little emphasis on the preseason, so it wasn’t a shock that he rested most of his starters. The Ravens didn’t suit up most of their top-liners either. But first-year coach Jesse Minter’s team looked better prepared. Nevertheless, keeping key guys healthy is of the utmost importance. The Eagles will get a better gauge of where they stand in joint practices with the Patriots this week.

Sean Mannion’s first game as an offensive coordinator was unremarkable. It’s difficult to place much stock in his performance with Hurts and Co resting. Sirianni was unlikely to allow Mannion to reveal much. Still, the play calling had little flow and the execution was sloppy. The second unit wasn’t sharp. The third and fourth groups weren’t much better. The offense gained just 76 yards on their first eight possessions. Of note: Mannion called plays from the sideline.

Vic Fangio had convinced Sirianni to allow his starters to play in his first two preseasons as defensive coordinator. That wasn’t the case the third time around. The defense was more effective than the offense, particularly the second unit. It got uglier the more they were asked to shoulder the load.