Today marked the eleventh practice of the 2020 Philadelphia Eagles training camp open to media. The session was only open to two pool reporters – Zach Berman and John McMullen – as the rain forced the team to move into their practice bubble. Let’s review my takeaways from their observations.
• The Eagles have mostly worked 11v11 and 7v7 in shorts and shells.
• EAGLE INJURY UPDATE: Doug Pederson has confirmed that Andre Dillard will be heading to the injured reserve at some point due to his bicep injury. Lane Johnson (sixth missed practice), Vinny Curry, Miles Sanders, Javon Hargrave and Genard Avery are still absent. Quez Watkins missed practice; he is injured daily in the upper body. John Hightower came in for a limp at one point today but didn’t quit training. Dallas Goedert had a day off scheduled.
Derek Barnett has returned to practice for individual work, which is good to see. Might be really on track to play Week 1. Sidney Jones has returned to team drills for the first time since day two of camp. Marcus Epps also returned to team exercises. Joe Ostman resumed training after missing Thursday.
• CARSON WENTZ UPDATE: Wentz connected with DeSean Jackson on a “perfect deep ball” where undrafted rookie free agent Michael Jacquet was burned for a touchdown. Wentz also connected with Jackson on a fade route into the end zone against Avonte Maddox. Looks like it was a good day for No.11.
• OFFENSIVE LINE UPDATE: The first team’s offensive line looked like this:
Left tackle – Matt Pryor
Left Guard – Isaac Seumalo
Center – Jason Kelce
Right Guard – Jason Peters
Right tackle – Jordan Mailata
We’ve never seen Pryor take left tackle reps in a training or playing environment. But he could actually be the guy there since Peters would be asking for more money to play in his old position.
Mailata split the second team from the right tackle reps with Jack Driscoll in addition to taking the right tackle reps from the first team. Mailata struggled on the left side in practice but looked better there than playing on the right.
• Hightower continues to play. The rookie catcher made a “contested big catch” on a Nate Sudfeld fade pass during work in the red zone. Hightower has had a pretty strong summer. He should at least have an occasional offensive role. It could be a low volume, high efficiency guy, much like Mack Hollins was as a rookie in 2017.
• Sudfeld got work with the first team attack, while Hurts did not. Sudfeld still looks like the No.2 quarterback behind Wentz to start the season. That could change quickly, however.
• Grayland Arnold interrupted a pass when facing off against the first team. I have the Eagles keeping him on their 53s. He made a number of good plays in camp.
• Adrian Killins had an active day. Wentz hit the undrafted rookie free agent on the wheel road for a long touchdown with Ostman trailing in cover. Clearly a lag there. Killins also had a good draw. AK has generated some hype but I still think he’s more likely to be on the practice squad than the roster.
• Elijah Riley landed a pass on a pitch to Greg Ward. The Army UDFA appears to be a safe bet for the training team.
• The best gunners in clearing coverage were Craig James and Rudy Ford. Interesting to note because these are not necessarily locks to make the 53 … or are they? I have them firmly on the bubble, James being more likely to do so.
FOLLOWING: The Eagles training camp final practices, open to media, will take place tomorrow at noon. Stay tuned to BGN as always.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
12h00 – Beginning of the practice
