After a day off on Sunday, the Eagles returned to the field Monday for a sweltering hot practice. The players had shoulder pads on for the first time. Here is what stood out on Day 4 of Training Camp practice:

Injury Report

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulder) returned to action in a limited capacity after missing the entire first week. Wide receiver Danny Gray (finger), linebacker Smael Mondon (illness), safety Andrew Mukuba (shoulder), and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (back tightness) all missed practice for the first time this Training Camp.

Highlights

• Quinyon Mitchell had the first interception of Training Camp, picking off a deep pass intended for A.J. Brown. Mitchell spent time on Monday following Brown and had tight coverage throughout the day, including a pass breakup.

• Brown made his share of plays with Mitchell in coverage, too, including some perfect back-shoulder catches from Jalen Hurts. Brown and Mitchell have both spoken about competing against each other this offseason, and Monday was the best battle yet.

• Joshua Uche flashed tremendous get-off to race past the right tackle and get a "sack" of quarterback Tanner McKee to close out the first team period.

• Before the team periods started, it was the first day of 1-on-1s. In the RB vs. TE session, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Dallas Gant, and Lance Dixon each posted pass breakups in coverage, but in the end, the running backs came out on top as the linebackers were left to do push-ups at the end of the drill.

• Ainias Smith made a couple of grabs early in practice and showed his shiftiness with a strong route.

• Elijah Cooks had another impressive grab after his highlight play in Saturday's practice. Cooks caught a jump ball over Adoree' Jackson in team drills that got some buzz from the crowd.

• Speaking of Jackson, he was first up at cornerback opposite Mitchell for the third consecutive day. Kelee Ringo worked in with the first time as well.

• Tariq Castro-Fields had an interception with the third team, jumping a route for the pick. Castro-Fields has made some plays early in camp.

• On a 3rd-and-goal from the 8-yard line, Hurts took a designed run in for the score. He also ran in another touchdown later in the session.

• During the team periods, the enhanced speaker system for Training Camp this year rotated between rock music (Ozzy Osbourne, Guns 'N Roses, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen) to garbled crowd noise.

Rodney McLeod: Philly and I are connected for life

Rodney McLeod patrolled the field as part of one of the league's best safety duos with Malcolm Jenkins during his six years in Philadelphia from 2016-21, which included the franchise's first Super Bowl title in 2017.

After 13 NFL seasons, McLeod retired following the 2024 season, spending his final two years with the Cleveland Browns.

McLeod was back on the field for Monday's practice, taking in the scene from the sidelines, reconnecting with former teammates, coaches, and personnel.

"It definitely feels like old times, stepping in and seeing a lot of familiar faces, not only on the field, but off the field," McLeod said after practice. "I think that's a credit to the Eagles organization, retention, stability, and a culture that has continued, surpassing me as an OG now and walking away from the game. It's real good and refreshing."

Even though McLeod left the Eagles after the 2021 season, he and his wife, Erika, maintain a strong connection with the city through their Change Our Future Foundation. Last month, the McLeods hosted their fifth annual Sneaker Ball fundraiser in Philadelphia, supporting the foundation. The NFLPA recognized McLeod with the prestigious Alan Page Award for his community efforts following his final year with the team.

"I don't think anybody can take Philly away from me. We're connected for life," McLeod said. "I would say I just owe, not only the city, but the organization, a lot for, one, giving me a chance to continue my career as a young player when I walked in, be able to become a champion, provide for my family in a way that I could never have imagined, and then also allow me to grow up. I really felt like I came in young, still trying to figure out life, and I walked away after those six years just full of life, full of a lot of experiences, and a lot more mature version of myself, and this made me the leader I am today."

Position Preview: Edge Rusher

One of the strengths of the Eagles' year-to-year success is the ability to build a roster that is set to win now and also to have an eye on the future. That succession plan has worked wonders at numerous positions – tight end, center, defensive tackle, cornerback, etc.

Edge pass rusher is next.

With Brandon Graham retired, Josh Sweat off in free agency to Arizona, and Bryce Huff traded to San Francisco, the Eagles have quite a bit of turnover at the position. They've planned for this, having used a first-round draft pick in 2023 on Nolan Smith and a third-round selection on Jalyx Hunt in 2024.

Those two players are up in the rotation and ready to build on the success they had in the World Championship season a year ago. But there is more to the position as the Eagles look for depth and production throughout the course of the season.

In free agency, the Eagles added a pair of dynamic pass rushers in Joshua Uche and Azeez Ojulari, two young veterans who have had success in their careers. Both have quick get-offs and can turn speed into power and both should have opportunities in this defense to get to the quarterback in the passing game and set the edge successfully in the run game.

Former Eagle Patrick Johnson was also added in free agency as he returns to Philadelphia after some time spent – he played in 12 games – in 2024 with the New York Giants. Johnson was outstanding in last year's preseason and was claimed by the Giants after the Eagles waived him following the regular-season opening win in Brazil over the Packers.

In the NFL Draft, the Eagles used a sixth-round selection on Antwuan Powell-Ryland after his outstanding career at Virginia Tech to add more young talent.

Along with all of that, Philadelphia kept its eyes open, bringing veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo on board – he has recorded 17 career sacks in his six seasons with the Rams, Houston, and Cleveland.

And then there is Ochaun Mathis, on the practice squad for much of the 2024 season, who looks to make his mark this summer.

It is a new-look group in a lot of ways and it is a critical position relying on young players to take the next step in their careers. No doubt, it is a test of the team's succession plan, one that has worked so well at so many positions.