Bleeding Green Nation
Observations from the team’s first media-attended spring practice.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles held the first of two OTA practices open to media access on Wednesday afternoon and I was there at the NovaCare Complex to watch the action unfold. Let’s get to some observations!
ANNUAL DISCLAIMER: Before we get started, please remember that the Eagles don’t permit video recordings/photography after warmups and position drills. So, that’s why you’re not seeing any team drill highlights.
The Eagles were inside their practice bubble since it was raining outside. Check out the new decorations:
ATTENDANCE UPDATES: It bears repeating that OTAs are voluntary, so it’s not the biggest deal for players to be missing. DeVonta Smith, Lane Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Bryce Huff, and Avery Williams were notably not spotted at practice. Thomas Mott noted that he saw DeVonta and Lane at NovaCare while attending Tuesday’s practice. Blankenship can be seen in a team-issued video clip from Tuesday’s practice. Williams’ absence is annoying since it’ll be interesting to see where he lines up. Huff missing in the aftermath of trade rumors from earlier this offseason certainly feels noteworthy.
INJURY UPDATES: Cam Jurgens, Nakobe Dean, and Jihaad Campbell made appearances in the practice bubble but did not participate due to injury. Landon Dickerson and Ben VanSumeren were not seen at practice while they’re likely still recovering from injury. Nolan Smith was able to participate in practice in a limited capacity; he did individual drills but not team sessions as he recovers from the torn triceps injury he suffered in Super Bowl LIX. A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley aren’t injured but they didn’t do much in practice as the Eagles look to preserve them.
DEPTH CHART NOTES, DEFENSE EDITION: The Eagles’ first-team defense in the first 7-on-7 period had Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr at linebacker, Cooper DeJean at nickel cornerback, Quinyon Mitchell at left cornerback, Adoree’ Jackson at right cornerback, and Andrew Mukuba and Sydney Brown at safety. In base defense, DeJean moved to RCB with him and Mitchell as the only corners on the field. In other nickel looks, Kelee Ringo rotated in for Jackson as the top RCB. Ringo also saw time at LCB with Eli Ricks as the RCB on the second-team defense. There seems to be a very real battle for the starting CB job. At safety, Lewis Cine and Andre’ Sam separately rotated in with the first-team defense. There’s also competition there.
DEPTH CHART NOTES, OFFENSE EDITION: The Eagles’ starting offensive line from left to tackle with Dickerson, Jurgens, and Johnson all not practicing: LT Jordan Mailata, LG Matt Pryor, C Brett Toth, RG Tyler Steen, RT Darian Kinnard.
One of my bigger takeaways from each year’s first OTA practice is seeing how new players look in person. Last year, Barkley stood out for being huge while Huff looked so tiny. This year, Adoree’ Jackson stood out for looking smaller than I expected him to be. In fairness, that...
