Cornerback Riq Woolen intercepted two passes, including a pick-six, as Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and over 45,000 fans evaluated a sloppy, penalty-laden 58-36 defensive victory during the team’s only open training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field on Tuesday night.
Riq Woolen Leads Defensive Domination at Lincoln Financial Field
The annual open practice at Lincoln Financial Field offered more than just a family night out. Head coach Nick Sirianni noted before this session that — just like the joint practices and any operations practice — this public practice gets a game grade in their evaluation process. So it seems like it’s weighted more than a normal day. Passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard and a couple of other assistants were seen taking the elevator up to the coaching box at Lincoln Financial Field after stretching and individual work, as the coaching staff worked through their duties and communications for a game day during the 1-hour and 55-minute workout in front of over 45,000 fans at the Linc.
While the offense sputtered through a disjointed evening, the defense dominated an 11-period competitive practice that lasted nearly two hours to secure a 58-36 win. Cornerback Riq Woolen anchored that defensive effort. He snatched two interceptions in front of the home crowd, capitalizing on a secondary role where opposing quarterbacks are going to see a lot of targets while avoiding Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Woolen’s first turnover came when he stepped in front of a pass in the middle of the field intended for Makai Lemon, breaking away from Lemon and showing off his speed while covering the rookie receiver on a crossing route to have a good return. His second highlight was far more damaging. Quarterback Jalen Hurts faced quick pressure from Jalyx Hunt—who was working against Fred Johnson—and panicked, tossing an ill-advised pass to the sideline intended for DeVonta Smith. Woolen undercut Smith on the throw that didn’t have much mustard on it during an end-of-game situational period, raced into the end zone, and threw the football into the crowd of over 45,000.
Offensive Struggles and Offensive Line Injury Concerns
The offensive unit struggled to find consistent rhythm. Beyond the two interceptions thrown by Hurts, there were at least four false starts, and at least three bad drops by DeVonta Smith, Darius Cooper, and Hollywood Brown in the end zone. Cooper stopped on his route on what looked like a good throw from Tanner McKee. Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion oversaw a unit that was generally too sloppy for the 16th practice of camp.
A banged-up offensive line did little to help, as the Eagles did have a few offensive linemen out which certainly contributed to the sloppiness to some degree. Landon Dickerson didn’t practice due to being not injury related/rest, with Drew Kendall filling in at LG as clearly the next man up on the interior going into this season. Markel Bell remained out with thumb and leg injuries. Furthermore, two of the Eagles’ best linemen got hurt in this practice. Right tackle Lane Johnson pulled himself off the field during the first 11-on-11 portion of practice and walked off the field with a trainer; Johnson stayed on the sideline but didn’t participate the rest of the way, with Fred Johnson replacing him at right tackle. And then Jordan Davis got hurt in a backed-up portion of practice, immediately grabbing at his left elbow and going to the sideline to chat with trainers and Howie Roseman before eventually returning with a brace on his left elbow.
The broader injury report to start Monday’s practice listed OT Markel Bell (thumb/leg), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), OG Landon Dickerson (not injury related/rest), CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder), TE Eli Stowers (hamstring), and S Cole Wisniewski (concussion) as not practicing, while CB Mac McWilliams was listed as limited with a shoulder injury.
Bright Spots in the Passing Game
Despite the overall offensive struggles, several players carved out impactful moments. Saquon Barkley got loose on an inside release that surprised All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun in the end zone. On the back end of the play, Barkley made a nice catch while going to the ground for a touchdown.
Makai Lemon had trouble generating separation most of the night, but offensive coordinator Sean Mannion did scheme the first-round pick open for a touchdown out of the backfield on a wheel route that fooled the defense which busted coverage.
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