Rookie duties at the NovaCare Complex include (but are not limited to) delivering Rita's Water Ice to veteran players after a steamy practice and even the occasional musical performance during team meetings.
But one newcomer responsibility has come to the forefront ahead of Friday's preseason game against the New York Jets – rookies filling in wherever they're needed.
The Eagles' injury list entering Wednesday's final Training Camp practice before game action included veteran center Jason Kelce, who underwent a routine elbow procedure Tuesday due to discomfort.
Caution surrounding the team's healthy roster means young players – namely Cam Jurgens – will step into an elevated role, both in practice and in upcoming competitions.
"Got to fill in for whoever's down; Kelce's down right now. So, I've just got to do my best to fill in there and you know, it's good for me because I get those extra opportunities, extra reps," said Jurgens.
"I feel like I get more ready every single day. I'm excited, just ready to go play some more football and hit someone else besides our own team."
Lucky for the second-round draft pick from Nebraska, young linemen in Eagles Training Camp have an opportunity unlike any other team in the NFL; they have four decade-plus veterans in Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, and Fletcher Cox to take reps alongside and against.
"How many teams are like that? What an opportunity for these young players to be able to learn from those guys and pick their brain, and Cam has been doing that," said Head Coach Nick Sirianni.
For Jurgens, it's paid noticeable dividends in his game. He's started emanating the tendencies of the 12th-year veteran already.
"I've seen him be like a sponge around Jason," said Sirianni.
"Hey, listen. There's only one Jason Kelce. But there's times out there that he's doing something and you're like, 'Woah, he kind of looks like Jason.'
It's not clear how many snaps Jurgens will play in Friday's contest; Sirianni said starters will likely only see one-to-two series against the Jets.
Nonetheless, eyes will be locked on the young guys making their NFL debut at Lincoln Financial Field.
