Eagles training camp news: Birds put on pads for first time, work on new XFL-style kickoff; latest injury updates
The Eagles are back on the field Tuesday — but something is different. For the first time all camp, there will be some real hitting as they put on pads.
The Eagles put on pads for the first time all summer at Tuesday's training camp practice, which is underway at the NovaCare Complex.
Prior to practice, special teams coordinator Michael Clay met with the media for the first time during camp.
Lane Johnson missed Monday's practice with a toe injury but was back on the field a day later. Rookie guard Trevor Keegan left Monday with an apparent arm injury, and was limited on Tuesday.
The Eagles only open practice of the summer is Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Birds' first preseason game is Aug. 9 against the Ravens — and their only home preseason game is Aug. 24 against the Vikings.
Landon Dickerson banged up during 11-on-11s
Who is winning the one-on-one battles at Eagles practice?
Who beat who in some wide receiver vs. cornerback matchups? A few highlights:
Darius Slay had a nice pass breakup and recovery while facing off with A.J. Brown.
Johnny Wilson used his height to beat Zech McPhearson.
Quinyon Mitchell had great coverage on Joseph Ngata, but Ngata made a nice grab and got his feet down on the sideline in bounds.
Near the goal line, DeVonta Smith used a quick step to toast Slay on a slant route.
Parris Campbell had a physical rep near the goal line vs. Eli Ricks and pulled in the pass for a “score.”
Similar to Smith, Britain Covey danced by Tyler Hall on a slant route.
Mitchell was twice matched up with Brown, and the rookie won both battles. On the second, Brown made a nice one-handed catch, but Mitchell had already forced him out.
— Jeff Neiburg
Eagles Tuesday injury report
Lane Johnson (toe) returned to practice after missing Monday’s workout. Saquon Barkley (personal) also returned.
It was a light injury report for the Eagles Tuesday. Linebacker Oren Burks (knee) and guard Tyler Steen (ankle) remain out. Rookie offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (shoulder) is limited during Tuesday’s practice.
— Jeff McLane
Watch: Eagles go through ball security drills at practice
Eagles take the field for first padded practice
Eagles working on new XFL-style kickoff format
The Eagles will work on the new kickoff format for the first time — at least during the media viewing portion of practice — Tuesday morning.
The rule changes to kickoffs are drastic, and the Eagles are still finding their way.
Special teams coordinator Michael Clay said Tuesday he was looking forward to watching the Bears and Texans play in the NFL’s first preseason game Thursday to get a first look at how NFL teams are scheming coverages and returns in the new system.
Watch: Special teams coordinator Michael Clay meets with the media
And then there were pads
And on Day 5, the pads arrived.
Good morning, and welcome to the fifth day of Eagles training camp. Today will have a much different feel than the previous four days. It’s finally time to put the pads on, and two former Georgia Bulldogs fighting to make an NFL name for themselves are pretty excited.
“This T-shirt and shorts is cute, but we play football in pads, and we’re getting in pads tomorrow,” linebacker Nakobe Dean said. “I told the linebacker group this, that we need to be the ones to set the precedent and the violence that’s going to come tomorrow in the first day of pads.”
Eagles injury updates on the offensive line
In addition to Tyler Steen, who is expected to miss a few days, the first-unit offensive line was also without right tackle Lane Johnson, who sat out with a toe injury. He’s day to day. Fred Johnson took his place. Linebacker Oren Burks (knee) remained out. Running back Saquon Barkley was excused from practice for a personal reason. Offensive lineman Brett Toth (hamstring) was upgraded to a limited participant.
Rookie guard Trevor Keegan left early with an apparent left arm injury. It was unclear how he got hurt. Keegan came back out on the field but didn’t return to action. Landon Dickerson, who missed the first workout of camp with a toe laceration, seemed to tweak a knee early on. He received trainer assistance on the sideline but didn’t miss a play.
» READ MORE: Eagles practice observations from Monday
— Jeff McLane
Bulked-up Nolan Smith can't wait to put on pads
Although Josh Sweat and free-agent signing Bryce Huff sit ahead of him as the two presumptive starting edge rushers, Nolan Smith projects as one of the two key reserves at the position along with Brandon Graham and has gone into training camp working with the first and second teams. During Monday’s practice, Smith pressured quarterback Jalen Hurts on consecutive plays, getting past fill-in right tackle Fred Johnson for a “sack” and flushing Hurts out of the pocket the next snap.
Fresh off arguably his strongest practice of training camp, Smith said Tuesday’s session — when the Eagles put on pads for the first time this summer — is the one he’s actually been looking forward to the most.
“We’re putting them thangs on tomorrow, and I’m excited. I can’t wait,” Smith said. “That will really help my game, you know, speed to power. I’m working speed right now, but the power element is part of that.”
Offense wasn't the sharpest on Monday
It wasn’t a very productive day for the first-unit offense. Jalen Hurts was holding the ball a bunch or had to scramble when his first reads were taken away. He had to deal with some pressure, as well, maybe as a result of having new faces on the right side of the O-line. Credit has to go to Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Milton Williams on the D-line.
Hurts did act quickly on his first pass. He had receiver John Ross running ahead of Ringo on a deep post, but his toss was too far.
Hurts completed his share of shorties to A.J. Brown — never a bad thing if that’s where his progressions take him — but he struggled to hit co-No. 1 receiver DeVonta Smith. Hurts and Smith weren’t on the same page on a coverage-based route. And then a play later on a naked bootleg, in which cornerback Darius Slay took away receiver Johnny Wilson as the first read, Hurts threw high of Smith.
Josh Sweat has a new number — and a fresh outlook
This offseason, in the lead-up to his seventh year with the Eagles, Josh Sweat sought a change.
The 27-year-old outside linebacker parted ways with his jersey No. 94 of the last five years and snagged No. 19, which was last worn by now-No. 16 Tanner McKee. Sweat said there was nothing wrong with his old number, but he wanted something fresh for the new season.
“I just wanted to feel new,” said Sweat, who spoke for the first time since the conclusion of the 2023 season on Monday. “That’s it.”
Rookie Quinyon Mitchell in the mix for starting spot
As predicted in my Day 3 notes, Quinyon Mitchell received reps with the first unit at right outside cornerback. Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers received the bulk of snaps with the starters, but the rookie is clearly in the mix. He didn’t have any passes thrown in his direction, which is never a bad thing.
But when he moved inside to play some slot corner with the second unit, he beat wide receiver Ainias Smith when he diagnosed a run play. If Mitchell doesn’t win the outside spot, he could certainly get the slot nod. He played some inside in college. He’s going to have to show that he can handle defending the run as there are gap responsibilities in the slot. Avonte Maddox is the main guy inside through the first four days.
» READ MORE: Eagles practice observations from Monday
— Jeff McLane