Eagles practice observations: Jalen Hurts’ INTs explained; Moro Ojomo and Fred Johnson brawl; cornerbacks on ice

The Eagles held the 11th practice of their 2026 training camp on Thursday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations from Day 11 (and links to Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10):

My notes will start at the end of practice and what caused a scheduled 90-minute workout to finish prematurely: The Eagles’ first bona fide fight of camp. Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and tackle Fred Johnson had themselves a good ol’ donnybrook in which fists were thrown, alleged cheap shots were taken and multiple players and coaches did their best to separate the two combatants.

As with most camp altercations, there was apparently a series of events that led to the ultimate throwdown between the linemen. Ojomo doesn’t typically line up over Johnson, but there are occasions when they will meet, particularly on run plays. In second-unit team drills, Ojomo beat Johnson inside and notched a would-be tackle for loss. He might have had another TFL a set later if Johnson didn’t tackle him to the ground.

It all came to a head later on when Johnson gave Ojomo an extra push to the ground. Ojomo popped up, stormed at Johnson and led with a left. Johnson responded and they scuffled until it was broken up. Normally, throwing hands would get you kicked out of the next play or even practice. Ojomo and Johnson not only remained on the field, but faced off again. And, of course, it got physical again. Johnson pancaked Ojomo to the turf, Ojomo came up swinging — this time with a right hook — and then all I could see were bodies flying around trying to stop the melee.

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Punching a helmet makes little sense and Ojomo apparently realized as much. My view was obstructed, but I was later told that after breaking free from his teammates, he lunged at Johnson’s lower body. That prolonged the fracas until the two were finally pried apart. Ojomo kept yelling at Johnson, who said to no one in particular, “He tried to take out my knees! I got kids!”

Coach Nick Sirianni huddled the team together and wrapped up practice 10 minutes early. After two weeks of facing off against each other, the Eagles’ offense and defense will finally face a team in another uniform when they meet the Ravens on Saturday. And again when they head to New England for two joint practices with the Patriots next Wednesday and Thursday. It’s about that time.

Quinyon Mitchell (glute) and Cooper DeJean (groin) were the latest to miss practice. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the two All-Pro cornerbacks landed on the injury report at the same time. The Eagles have likely seen enough out of Mitchell and DeJean, and as they did with receiver DeVonta Smith, decided to shut down two key players who don’t need camp as much others do.

With Mitchell out, Jakorian Bennett and Kelee Ringo split reps at right cornerback. Michael Carter II filled in for DeJean in the slot and Marcus Epps took most, if not all, of the snaps at safety. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields might have gotten some looks with the first-unit defense, too, but he was also out with a heel injury.

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The following remained sidelined: receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring), cornerback Jonathan Jones (shoulder), outside linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring), safety Cole Wisniewski (hamstring), and Smith (hamstring). Receiver Danny Gray (concussion) was limited.

Receiver Johnny Wilson (knee) was back in action.

Cornerback Mac McWilliams got some starter’s reps whenever Riq Woolen took a breather. He made the most of his turn during seven-on-sevens when he intercepted Jalen Hurts’ toss to receiver Hollywood Brown in the end zone. McWilliams caught sight of the pass late, but he used one hand to secure the ball against his shoulder and pulled it in for the pick.

Hurts’ pass didn’t look errant. The timing between a quarterback and a receiver on out routes can be of the utmost importance. Hurts worked with Brown on the route after practice. Lemon was involved, as well. Brown hasn’t really stood out in camp. There could be a host of reasons why. Does Hurts not yet trust him? Is he not a scheme fit? Has he lost a step? Or is it simply too early to make assessments?

Brown later dropped a screen pass.

Brown was also the intended receiver on Mitchell’s interception from Tuesday. I chose to spotlight the corner’s improved ball skills rather than Hurts’ turnover because it appeared as if Brown wasn’t precise on his dig route. As with most plays in football, there were multiple factors. The Eagles posted the play on their social media accounts and it created a minor stir.

I understood some of the commotion. The team wouldn’t normally promote anything that would seemingly disparage their franchise quarterback. I think in this case, they simply wanted to give props to Mitchell. The interception had already been reported. It’s not like Hurts — or any player — is perfect. And, in fact, I appreciate that the Eagles didn’t feel like they had to mollycoddle the 28-year old. That hasn’t always been the case.

Nevertheless, Hurts could end up throwing more interceptions with more projected middle field throws in the new offense. I asked Sirianni if he needed to alter his conservatism when it comes to turnovers because the reward of more over-the-middle passes is worth the risk. His answer in a nutshell was no, but I think there is an alternate reality.

Nolan Smith was all over the field during the first team period. The outside linebacker raced into the backfield to touch up running back Saquon Barkley after getting by tight end Dallas Goedert’s block. Smith was even more impressive on the next rep when he beat left tackle Jordan Mailata with a push-pull move and strung a run play out. A few plays later, he snuffed out a swing pass to Barkley.

Smith’s instincts and versatility are strengths. He’s effective in setting the edge against the run and wily when he drops into coverage. His effort is unquestioned. A lot of his pressures and sacks come from dirty work. The one knock, as I see it, is fairly significant: He doesn’t win enough in the pass rush. At least not yet. And there are concerns about durability. He’s still wearing a large brace on his left arm. But the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option for good reason.

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Dontayvion Wicks opened camp as one of Hurts’ go-to guys. He wasn’t targeted as much over the last week, for whatever reason, but Thursday’s practice further validated the notion that Wicks should get the second-most number of snaps at receiver once the season starts.

Hurts and Wicks have developed obvious rapport on certain concepts, mostly on the out route. Wicks knows how to win at the line. He caught a 10-yarder in front of McWilliams early on, and then beat Woolen for a touchdown. Woolen has been one of the best man-press covers in the NFL. But Wicks used a quick shuffle at the line to keep the corner from jamming him. Hurts hit him in stride before the pylon and pumped his fist in celebration.

Philadelphia Eagles’ Jakorian Bennett gets down on one knee before entering the field during training camp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex in South Philadelphia on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

Markel Bell took the snaps at right tackle when Lane Johnson got rest. The 6-foot-9 rookie has so far answered some of the questions about his agility in the Shanahan scheme. We know he has the size traits, especially when it comes to arm length in pass protection. But would he be able to get out of a three-point stance in run blocking? Would he be able to climb to the second level and get his hands on linebackers?

I saw it before in camp, but he had two impressive instances on Thursday when he sealed off linebacker Zack Baun on inside zone runs by Barkley and Tank Bigsby. Guard Tyler Steen — his partner on the right side — had a solid day as well. He once contained defensive tackle Jalen Carter at the point of attack. He later had a false start and may have held Carter on another down, but Steen has solidified his standing this summer.

Hurts loves his tight ends during sevens-on-sevens. Goedert and Johnny Mundt were his targets on the first three drops. Hurts then tried two corner fades in the red zone — the first to Wicks and the second to Wilson — but Michael Carter and Woolen each recorded pass breakups.

Ringo took a poor angle on a Barkley run to the perimeter. A year ago, Ringo essentially took himself out of the starting cornerback competition when he missed an open field tackle in the first preseason game. Hurts later found Goedert in the back of the end zone for a touchdown in team drills. Safety Andrew Mukuba was in coverage, but Hurts had all kinds of time in the pocket.

Sirianni declined to say who would start at quarterback on Saturday. It’s doubtful that Hurts and Co. play. The guess here is that Andy Dalton will get the nod, but Tanner McKee will play as much. McKee was first up with the second offense on Thursday. His best moment came on a 12-yard hitch to receiver Britain Covey.

Dalton struggled in his first set. His throw to running back Will Shipley led him just out of bounds. Shipley did his best to drag his feet, and a nearby referee ruled him inbounds, but the replay suggested otherwise. Gray was wide-open in the back of the end zone a play later, but Dalton overthrew him.

Barkley got dinged at one point and required trainer attention. He should fine, from what I understand. … It was bound to happen. Willie Lampkin missed a block. Defensive tackle Byron Young was credited with a sack when he slipped outside the guard. Lampkin’s error wasn’t physical. He just hesitated a second on his assignment. … Covey, Elijah Moore, Quez Watkins and Brandon Hayes handled punt return duties. Lemon watched from nearby. … UFC’s Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett watched practice. … The Eagles have a closed walkthrough on Friday. They’re off on Sunday and will return to practice on Monday.

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Lane Johnson rejoined training camp this past week after a multi-day absence, but his return brought with it the announcement that 2026 is “probably” going to be his last NFL season. What does the prospect of the All-Pro’s retirement mean in both the short- and long-term? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Ryan Novozinsky take a look at what the Eagles can expect from Johnson in his 14th year as a pro, and who might be waiting in the wings to replace him. Listen here.

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