Day 5 of the Philadelphia Eagles training camp has concluded, and for the first time this summer, players were donning pads. As the competition heats up, let’s delve into the vital notes from today’s practice.
Several players were unable to participate in practice today due to injuries:
LB Zack Baun - back contusion WR Danny Gray - finger injury S Andrew Mukuba - shoulder issue WR DeVonta Smith - back tightness EDGE Nolan Smith - concussionAdditionally, the following players were limited in their participation:
LB Jihaad Campbell - shoulder iDL Jalen Carter - shoulder C Cam Jurgens - back LB Smael Mondon - illnessNotably, Carter’s limited participation marked his first practice of the summer. Mukuba missed his second consecutive practice, giving him an extra day to recover with the Eagles taking a day off on Wednesday. Terrace Marshall also exited practice early with a possible leg injury.
Today’s practice was challenging for the Eagles' offense. They committed approximately six pre-snap penalties, and receivers struggled to find separation downfield. The defense clearly dominated the session, a trend that continued from Monday’s practice.
In addition to the penalties, there were several poor snaps from Brett Toth, who has been receiving first-team reps in the absence of Jurgens. These mistakes often lead to wasted practice opportunities. While offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is highly regarded, it raises questions about Toth’s suitability for the center position given his struggles with shotgun snaps. It may be more beneficial for the team to give rookie Drew Kendall a chance to work with the first and second teams.
At the beginning of training camp, many anticipated that Jihaad Campbell would be a starting linebacker alongside Zack Baun in Week 1. However, Jeremiah Trotter has been impressive throughout camp and continued to show his skills today. Trotter made a significant impact with a strong tackle on a run by Will Shipley and displayed solid coverage on a corner route thrown to Dallas Goedert, forcing an incomplete pass.
Campbell also made some notable plays, including effective run stops and tight coverage that resulted in him knocking Goedert down after a short gain.
Josh Uche was particularly active today, consistently penetrating the backfield and recording at least one sack, possibly two, primarily against second-team right tackle Darian Kinnard. His quickness off the edge was evident, showcasing his potential as a critical asset for the defense.
Defensive back Tristin McCollum forced a fumble during practice, hitting Darius Cooper after a catch, while Reed Blankenship knocked the ball out of A.J. Dillon’s grasp during a play that might have already been out of bounds.
Eli Ricks, often overlooked, made a significant play with a pass breakup in the end zone. While he wasn’t included in the cornerback camp battle tracker, his consistent performance could position him as a contender if Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson do not stand out. Speaking of Ringo, he had a solid day, nearly intercepting a pass and exhibiting strong coverage against Marshall.
Jackson, on the other hand, struggled today, committing a clear pass interference penalty against Jahan Dotson and allowing a touchdown on a slant route to Elijah Cooks.
On the offensive side, Will Shipley was a standout player, making several catches, including a touchdown on a well-executed Texas route and demonstrating impressive agility during a run in the red zone.
The highlight of the day came from Elijah Cooks, who made a spectacular catch in traffic at the back of the end zone from quarterback Tanner McKee. Cooks managed to keep both feet in bounds for the score, further establishing himself as a standout player during camp.
As the Eagles continue their preparation for the upcoming season, the competition among players remains fierce, with performances today providing insight into potential roster decisions. Keep an eye on these developments as training camp progresses.
