Thursday was another hot day at the NovaCare Complex as the Eagles practiced in shells following Wednesday's walk-through.
Here is what stood out on Thursday:
Injury Report
Zack Baun (back), DeVonta Smith (back), Andrew Mukuba (shoulder), and Nolan Smith (concussion) all remained sidelined. E.J. Jenkins (hamstring) and Terrace Marshall (knee) were new absentees on Thursday.
Highlights
- Kelee Ringo had some flashes during practice, breaking up a pass in the end zone and having tight coverage on another rep. Adoree' Jackson got the initial run with the first team, but Ringo made some plays on Thursday.
- Moro Ojomo continued his strong Training Camp with a quick pressure on a bull rush. He's a player who is fighting to see a bigger workload in 2025, and he looks ready for it if called upon.
- Mac McWilliams had a pass breakup on the sideline. The rookie is playing all over during Training Camp, something Quinyon Mitchell did last summer, and Mitchell has been impressed with McWilliams thus far. "I feel like he's handling it really well, so he's been great so far," Mitchell said.
- Jalen Hurts had some nice completions, including finding Jahan Dotson on a crossing route for about 20 yards. He also had a perfectly timed pass to Grant Calcaterra. Hurts also showcased his agility, putting the moves on rookie linebacker Smael Mondon on a scramble. Of course, the rookie knew better than to try to go for QB1.
- To see Jordan Mailata, the league's top-graded overall player by Pro Football Focus last season, get on the move in the run game as a puller is a sight to behold. Mailata glides at 365 pounds and isn't shy about putting himself where he is needed to open the hole.
- Dallas Goedert had a rare drop early in practice, but he made up for it with a strong leaping grab. He fell to the ground hard but held onto the ball for an impressive catch.
- Eli Ricks had the highlight of the day, intercepting Hurts in an end-of-game situation on a pass down the middle of the field. Ricks has enjoyed a good Training Camp.
- ShunDerrick Powell had the best run of the day, cutting through the line and then bouncing to the sideline. Sometimes it's hard to tell during Training Camp what would happen in full contact, but it was clear Powell had some separation on this run that drew oohs and aahs from the fans in attendance.
- Tanner McKee had back-to-back long completions, the first to a wide-open Cameron Latu and the next to Johnny Wilson over the middle. McKee has been rock-solid this camp as he acclimates to the backup position behind Hurts.
- Both Jordan Davis and Patrick Johnson had would-be sacks towards the end of practice. Davis also did a good job mirroring Hurts on a rollout, forcing him to throw out of bounds.
Position Preview: Special Teams
The Eagles' placekicking operation enjoyed immense success in the 2024 playoffs as Jake Elliott broke the NFL record for most points scored by a kicker in the Super Bowl (16) and established the team record for most points by a kicker in a postseason run (43).
There is a significant change to that process in 2025 as the Eagles signed Charley Hughlett in free agency. Hughlett comes to Philadelphia with 10 years of NFL experience, all with the Cleveland Browns. Until this past season, Hughlett had not missed a single game.
"The World Champions come calling, you're going to go. I know there's a track record of three Pro Bowlers in a row that have been here (Mike Bartrum, Jon Dorenbos, and Rick Lovato), so would love to add to that," Hughlett said on Thursday. "My job is to make sure they are as successful as possible. So for me, it's learning what they like. I want them to continue to do what they do because they're very good at what they do and I want them to be as comfortable as possible, so I don't want them to change a lot, I want to come in and adjust to them."
Braden Mann enters his third season with the Eagles after joining early in the 2023 campaign. In addition to punting duties, Mann is the other part of the placekicking operation as the holder for Elliott. Mann didn't waste time setting franchise records for both gross (49.8) and net (43.9) punting averages in his first year with the team.
"He's a total professional," Mann said of Hughlett. "It's not so much catching snaps that's totally different. It's kind of just everything else pre-snap, post-snap, just kind of a rhythm thing."
"We're a new unit. It's just kind of getting those reps in to make everything muscle memory. It's been awesome," Hughlett added.
At returner, Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay will utilize the preseason to sort out those roles. The team signed wide receiver Avery Williams in free agency, and Clay lauded the veteran's ability as a personal protector in the punt return game. Clay also likes the idea of working in A.J. Dillon on kickoff returns.
"I guess I'd pose the question to you guys. Would you guys want to try to tackle a guy that's 240 pounds running straight downhill at you?" Clay said. "But again, he has a ball in his hands a lot of the time. Ball security is imperative, especially on kickoff return."
Cooper DeJean, Will Shipley, and Ainias Smith have return experience, along with newcomers like running back Keilan Robinson. – Chris McPherson
On Deck
Head Coach Nick Sirianni is scheduled to meet with the media at 9:40 AM ahead of Friday's 10 AM practice. After practice, select players will be available.
