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Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes | August 16, 2022

Zach Pascal
Zach Pascal

The Eagles hosted their final Training Camp practice at the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday. The team will travel to Cleveland on Wednesday ahead of two joint practices and Sunday's preseason tilt with the Browns. Tuesday also marked the due date for the first wave of roster cuts to be complete, as each NFL team's roster has to be at the league-mandated 85-player limit by 4 PM. As for the on-field action, it was a picturesque day in South Philadelphia as the players worked in shells and shorts for 90 minutes this morning. Here are 10 takeaways as well as an injury update:

1. During individual periods, I had my eyes locked in on the safeties and nickels working together on the middle field. Today's drill was very similar to one that you'll see DBs go through at the Scouting Combine every March, with a little more reaction and unpredictability baked in. Assistant Defensive Backs Coach D.K. McDonald sounded the signal for the player to get into his pedal and, pretending to be the quarterback, adjusted his shoulders and arms to force the defensive back to react on the fly and then eventually break on the ball for an interception. It was a well-run drill and fun to take in, with a variety of body types in the secondary making plays. – Fran Duffy

2. After individual periods, the team split up into two groups. The starters and primary backups got together on one field, with the deeper backups heading over to the middle one. I stayed with the starters, as the offense worked on a number of plays from empty sets, with no one in the backfield alongside Jalen Hurts. The period began with a touchdown to Zach Pascal, one that drew tons of praise from Head Coach Nick Sirianni. Pascal plays with an "alpha" mentality that I can't help but like. Pascal caught a nice touchdown on the goal line in red zone 7-on-7 drills later in practice, running a quick slant from the slot. He was so good in the red zone during his time in Indianapolis. – Ben Fennell

3. On the other field, the period began with tight coverage from cornerback Zech McPhearson, who forced a late incompletion against a double move in the end zone. Rookie linebacker Nakobe Dean drew praise with the way he ended the period, forcing turnovers on consecutive plays. First, Dean poked the ball out late from the tight end's grasp on the goal line. On the next play, the rookie finished the drill with an interception in the end zone on a throw that was tipped at the line of scrimmage. – Fran

4. The team got together for some 11-on-11 action in the next period, and DeVonta Smith caught a couple of passes early on. Smith has already won on a handful of favorable matchups from the slot so far today, working against linebackers, safeties, and nickels. He'll be a nightmare against zone coverage teams if he's working on the inside. He's such a savvy player. – Ben

5. Linebacker Davion Taylor showed up a decent amount in this period. There was a run inside on his first rep and he was the first defender to thud up. On the next play, the third-year 'backer showed off his speed by chasing down the ballcarrier on a perimeter play toward the sideline. I thought Taylor played fast and loose in the preseason game on Friday night against the New York Jets. – Fran

6. A special teams period happened next, and A.J. Brown took a rare punt return rep just for fun. This guy is so explosive, and he loves to have fun at practice. – Ben

7. 7-on-7 drills happen next down in the red zone, and in this area of the field, Jalen Hurts hooked up with tight end Dallas Goedert on three straight plays. First, the veteran caught a shallow cross and ran away from the linebacker on his way to the end zone by the front pylon. After a quick hitch route short of the goal line, he threw a nice shake route and separated for another score. In the next period, down on the goal line, Hurts found Goedert again for another touchdown on a quick pass rolling to his right. We'll see if this becomes a theme once the regular season begins. – Fran

8. Another team period begins, and after three straight completions from Hurts (to Smith, Brown, and Goedert, in that order), the defense made some noise with a "sack" from Haason Reddick. In this period, there was a front that featured Reddick, Derek Barnett, Brandon Graham, and Jordan Davis ... that's four former first-round picks. That really speaks to the value that this organization has placed on winning the line of scrimmage. – Ben

9. Speaking of Cox, in the next team session, No. 91 made his presence felt from the jump on three consecutive plays. On the first play, an inside run went his direction and Cox was able to wrap the ball carrier up. On the next play, Jalen Hurts took off and was corralled by the disruptive defensive tackle. On the third play, Hurts dropped back to pass and Cox was in his face quickly to force an incompletion. – Fran

10. After those Fletcher Cox reps, Hurts dropped back and delivered a teardrop pass to A.J. Brown down the right sideline for a deep ball touchdown. Brown has seemingly made at least one big play every day at practice, and this was his biggest of the session. Brown showed off "late hands" on this play, keeping the defensive back guessing as to when the ball was going to arrive. – Ben

Injury Report

Did Not Practice

• TE Grant Calcaterra - Hamstring

• LB Christian Elliss - Hamstring

• S Marcus Epps - Back

• DT Javon Hargrave - Toe

• C Jason Kelce - Elbow

• S Jared Mayden - Ankle

• RB Miles Sanders - Hamstring

• WR Greg Ward - Toe

Limited

• T Le'Raven Clark - Hamstring

• WR John Hightower - Groin

• CB Jimmy Moreland - Ankle

• RB Boston Scott - Concussion

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