Pre-Practice Injury Report: Great news for the Eagles as cornerback James Bradberry returned to team drills after missing some time with a groin injury. Linebacker Nakobe Dean (ankle) was a limited participant, taking part in individual drills. Wide receiver Devon Allen was also limited with a calf injury. The only players who did not participate in practice were wide receiver Deon Cain (ankle) and linebacker Patrick Johnson (ankle).
The team changed venues for Wednesday's practice, opting for another stadium practice at Lincoln Financial Field. It was a much different vibe as there weren't 50,000 fans like at Sunday's Public Practice.
1. The team went through various scrimmage-esque situations on Tuesday, moving the ball down the field and ending drives with extra points, field goals, or punts, as needed. The run game was a focal point for the offense, and the defense mixed up a wide variety of looks throughout the day to challenge them – resulting in a very spirited practice at Lincoln Financial Field.
2. In the first team period, the offense broke off a couple of long runs. Quarterback Jalen Hurts got things going on the initial snap, keeping a read play and taking it the distance with tackle Jordan Mailata out in front. A few plays later it was Kenneth Gainwell scoring a likely touchdown in the red zone, breaking off a play on the ground while lined up in the backfield along with D'Andre Swift. Gainwell again reached the end zone two snaps later, with Cam Jurgens out in front as a puller on a perimeter run play. Hurts finished the drive with a zone-read keeper, taking off for the left pylon and tossing the ball to a young fan in attendance after the play.
3. I'm excited to watch this linebacker competition continue to unfold this summer, because I thought a handful of guys flashed today in these run-heavy periods. Christian Elliss popped early, stacking and shedding an offensive lineman on a run to the right by Rashaad Penny. Elliss' explosiveness showed up multiple times as well today, flying into the backfield or to the flat to corral ball carriers. Myles Jack, mixing in once again with the first-team defense, had a really impressive rep playing downhill to find the football. Zach Cunningham made his presence felt as well, beating a block and thudding up Penny on an inside run early on in the day. Cunningham also was in on an incompletion to a tight end midway through the session. Watching this play out through preseason games will be a big topic this month.
4. The depth up front is outstanding for this team once again, and two players who have really caught my eye this summer are Milton Williams and Kentavius Street. Both guys have very similar skill sets and backgrounds as converted college defensive ends who made late transitions inside. They're both very violent and urgent through contact, with the ability to win from multiple techniques up front. Williams knifed into the backfield, splitting a double team to wrap up a ball carrier early on in an 11-on-11 period halfway through practice.
5. The defensive line was extremely active on Wednesday, particularly on scripted third downs. Brandon Graham got home for what likely would have been a sack in the opening frame, winning off the offensive right side. Josh Sweat got home on an inside move for a sack late in practice, followed up by Haason Reddick getting home on an unblocked bum rush by the defense.
6. It wasn't all about the defense as quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a perfect go ball deep down the left sideline for wide receiver A.J. Brown, who hauled in the pass for a gain of 40 yards. This came during a period where the offense worked backed up on its side of the field.
