The Eagles will host the Baltimore Ravens in preseason action this Thursday, but they will also hold joint practices in the lead up to the event. The first took place today down at the NovaCare Complex and the second will unfold tomorrow. Here’s everything you need to know from what was a strong challenge for both teams.
Injuries
There was another injury scare during practice today, this time concerning TE Richard Rodgers, who has missed practice recently due to a foot injury. The veteran was carted off the field and was hugged by Doug Pederson. The signs are definitely not encouraging.
This would open the door for both Josh Perkins and Will Tye to step up and make a statement in both joint practice and preseason opportunities this wee, with hopes of making the roster as a 3rd/4th TE depending on the severity of the injury to Rodgers.
Elsewhere, Cody Kessler was cleared to practice but was seen without pads or a helmet. Josh Sweat returned to action after missing Monday’s practice and WR Charles Johnson is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
Clement’s making up for lost time
One man seeing plenty of action today was RB Corey Clement. Having missed most of the offseason due to recovering from last year’s season-ending injury, it’s nice to see Clement in the thick of it.
We haven’t seen him in preseason action yet, but this is a very encouraging sign with two weeks remaining. Pipping Wendell Smallwood to the post should be an attainable feat here.
Feeling hot, hot, hot!
The Eagles held a lengthy practice with the Ravens today with temperatures rising throughout. It’s safe to say a few Birds were feeling the heat.
This shouldn’t be concerning, just worth noting that the Eagles are out there in boiling temperatures while thudding against another team. A few are bound to feel the effects.
Clayton Thorson heats up
Confidence is a wonderful thing. After completing 16/26 passes for 175 yards on Thursday, it appears as though project QB Clayton Thorson is really finding his rhythm.
His fate, at this point in time, remains uncertain. Will he make the final 53 while Sudfeld is IR stashed? Will he be waived the aims of landing on the practice squad? Who knows. But if he keeps improving, expect plenty more of this…
Wentz looking sharp
The face of the franchise appeared to hold up well against a Ravens defense that allowed the fewest points of any team in the NFL last year, throwing dimes and re-kindling the connection to Alshon Jeffery.
It’s nice to see Mack Hollins mentioned, but over the last two weeks, the Wentz to Alshon Jeffery connection has started to pick up speed, which can only mean good things. If Wentz is on the same page with DJax, Alshon, and Aggy, watch out NFL.
Red zone defense
The Eagles have prided themselves on red zone efficiency on both sides of the ball recently and that was on show down at the NovaCare Complex on Monday.
Keeping a dynamic QB in check is always tricky, but it looks as though the Eagles did a fairly good job!
Darby makes a play
This may sound minor, but Ronald Darby hasn’t been back at practice for long, so a two-day stress-test against the Ravens may have been a little too much to expect from the young corner. However, he made an impressive play against the Ravens TE today.
Douglas, Jones, and Maddox remained the three most prominent corners, but if Darby is going to resume CB1 duties in week 1, it’s encouraging to see him flashing in a joint practice.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
