The Eagles were back at it on Monday Morning for another day of physical practice. As the anticipation builds and positional battles begin to take shape, here’s everything you need to know!
Injury update
There were some notable updates on Monday, starting off with a new name: Paul Worrilow, who was absent from practice. The linebacker is coming off of an ACL tear and that could be something to keep an eye on. Safety Blake Countess returned to practice, but the one defensive back everybody wanted to hear about was Captain Cre’Von.
Doug Pederson stated that LeBlanc’s injury was week-to-week, following on from the report of a foot sprain that sparked the signing of veteran Orlando Scandrick, who arrived at the NovaCare Complex donning #45.
Bizarrely, Mack Hollins is day-to-day with a new injury, unrelated to the one that kept him out of action all of last season. Again, details are minimal, but the return of the mack is on hold for a little while longer.
Wentz shines
After a slightly rusty weekend practice, Wentz bounced back with what many perceive to be his finest outing this Summer. Aside from a stray interception that was picked off by Malcolm Jenkins, the Wentz-to-Desean Jackson connection was piping hot once again, with bombs being thrown all morning long.
If that string of tweets wasn’t enough to get you excited, the fact that this is just a continuation from what we’ve heard all offseason long certainly should. Wentz and DJax look in-sync and ready to rip the top off defenses in 2019, with ‘the need for speed’ destined to become a lethal pairing.
As for the other quarterbacks…
Meanwhile, Clayton Thorson didn’t have his best day, but that’s, unfortunately, become the norm for the rookie. The Northwestern product has struggled all offseason and doesn’t seem to be improving, at least as far as the eye test goes.
There is a chance Thorson is waived or stashed on the practice squad just months after the Eagles selected him in the fifth round. Making matters even more interesting is that Kessler is trending in the opposite direction.
The former third-round pick is finding his stride and that in itself loops us back around to a potential battle for what could be a QB2 role, or Kessler’s NFL ceiling. Preseason is going to be a lot of fun watching Sudfeld and Kessler duke it out.
Jernigan’s back…
After an offseason rollercoaster that saw Timmy Jernigan land back in Philly on a much cheaper deal than the one he signed before he suffered an injury that caused him to miss nearly all of last season, it was clear that the golden grilled monster would be playing with a chip on his shoulder. He hammered that point home to reporters in May and he’s started off the Summer in the same way.
The presumed DT3 is playing with a point to prove and a bag to earn in 2019 and if he continues to explode through Training Camp, the Eagles defensive tackle depth is going to be nasty heading into the regular season.
RasulSZN
With Mills on the PUP list and Darby still working his way back, the starting trio of corners remains the same. Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox, and Sidney Jones…and all three are making sure they don’t let that opportunity go to waste.
Jones has been one of the biggest standouts so far but today was the West Virginia Ballhawk’s time to shine. Douglas led the team in picks last year despite the adverse conditions and he’s eyeing a potential starting role with Mills potentially unable to go in week one. The young corner is making all the right moves early on to make sure he’s ready to step up to the mark.
While we’re talking cornerbacks, it didn’t take 32-year-old Orlando Scandrick long to settle into his third NFC East team, either. A promising sign for the Eagles, who will be looking for Scandrick to take the reins backup nickel responsibilities.
Early promise for Howard
The Eagles traded for former Chicago running back Jordan Howard earlier this offseason in what became one of the more underrated moves the team made. But the 24-year old is having no problem reminding the world just how dominant he can be.
It may only be training camp, but if Howard can show value as a pass protector, then not only is he bound to receive the lions share of carries as expected, but his role in the offense could be even bigger. It’s also worth noting that for the second year in a row, Howard has focused on his ability to catch the ball, something the Eagles are bound to try and lean on if he can become a reliable release valve.
Hive time!
Of all the underdogs with ‘hive’ followings, Joe Ostman and Boston Scott may be among the two most popular. Both players shined on Monday morning, with Ostman recording a would-be sack, and Boston Scott becoming a bowling ball? Who’d have thought.
It’s always nice to see underdogs steal some of the spotlight and as preseason draws near, the excitement surrounding their progress will only intensify.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
