Cooper DeJean ran out of the tunnel for the first time as an NFL player on Saturday as the Eagles kicked off their third and final preseason game against the Vikings.

DeJean played a good amount of the game, seeing time at the nickel spot and even returning a couple of punts. The rookie finished the game with three tackles, including getting into the backfield for a tackle for loss on the Vikings running back DeWayne McBride as time expired in the third quarter.

"It was awesome. It was awesome. Obviously, it's preseason, so it's going to be a lot different when the stadium is packed, like it will in the regular season, but it was cool to be out there my first NFL game." said DeJean when asked about how it felt to run out of the tunnel for the first time at Lincoln Financial Field.

"I was excited. A lot of adrenaline rolling, so it's good to be back out there. A lot of things to learn from."

Although DeJean was sidelined with the hamstring injury for most of Training Camp, he's done everything he can to stay involved and learn the new defense of Vic Fangio in order to set himself up in the best way possible for when he was ready to return to the field.

"Really, just staying locked in at practice, getting the calls, watching my position, watching things that I can learn, watching tape on other guys that I can learn from," DeJean said. "Just trying to stay involved as much as I can."

Head Coach Nick Sirianni was happy to see the second-round pick out there on the field playing meaningful snaps for the first time since last November.

"I saw him make a couple of really good plays. I thought he looked fast and physical out there. Made a couple of tackles that I thought were really good. Had a penalty that we're going to want back that negated an interception on the first drive, but it was good to get him out there playing meaningful snaps seeing that hadn't played in this preseason.

"I thought there were some good things. There are going to be some things to clean up. But it was good to have him out there because he's talented and we're excited about his potential." Sirianni said.

Despite it being DeJean's first game back, the rookie knows he could have had a better performance and that playing in this league is going to be a learning process. He had an illegal contact penalty on a play where safety Tristin McCollum snagged an interception that would be called back.

"It was all right, still a lot of lot of things to learn from," DeJean said of his performance. "When you go back and watch the tape, a couple missed tackles that I remember. Just got to be better, got to stick on guys better as well. There's lots to learn. You know, we got a got a great group of guys to learn from as well."

Paying attention off the field has helped DeJean be prepared for this moment. Knowing the defense and the system was one of the biggest things he could do while not being allowed to play, and he felt comfortable being out there on Saturday.

The versatile defensive back saw good things from himself and is aware of the improvements he needs to make going forward.

"I feel like I executed the calls, I knew what I was doing out there," DeJean said. "Just got to be in a better position sometimes on a few of those plays, be able to make a better play on those, but it's good to get back out there and it will kind of be a good learning experience once I go watch the tape."

As DeJean will continue to adjust to Fangio's defense, he's leaned on guys such as Avonte Maddox, Darius Slay, and Reed Blankenship to help him throughout his rookie Training Camp.

"I wouldn't say it's too difficult. A lot of things go together. Some parts go together, whether it's in our nickel or base, but you got older guys who've been around the league and have learned different defenses. So, it's good to have those guys around. He's (Vic Fangio) done a great job of teaching as well," DeJean said.

As the regular season quickly approaches with the opening kickoff in Brazil against the Packers just 13 days away, DeJean feels he is ready to go in any way the team will need him.

"I feel like I can play and execute all the calls if I'm out there, if my name is called. My job is to be ready to go, no matter what position that is," he said. – Written by Liam Wichser