Another day of Eagles Training Camp is in the books and as we inch closer to preseason, the intensity is picking up. Here’s all you need to know from another day down at the NovaCare Complex.
Eagles Injury report
The injury report looks similar to Tuesday’s. Drew Mukuba is missing a third-straight practice with a shoulder setback, while Nolan Smith works through a concussion. Smitty and Baun also miss another practice as the Eagles look to keep their players as healthy as possible.
Terrace Marshall did miss today’s practice after picking up a knock at the end of Tuesday’s padded practice. But again, no real noise from the coaching staff should tell us that this isn’t a serious setback.
EJ Jenkins appeared on the injury report for the first time today. His name is an interesting one, and not just because I share it. After catching his first TD pass from Tanner McKee against the Giants last season, and with a real lack of additions to the TE room, he does have some room to grow, but missing time will only place more emphasis on preseason outings. He will definitely be a name to watch this Summer.
In more positive news, Jalen Carter took team reps for the first time this Summer. The Georgia product has been absent with a minor injury but will now be looking to regain any lost ground as soon as possible. His spot as a starter won’t come anywhere close to being challenged, but it’s still important for Carter to shake off any rust and get back up to speed.
Nakobe Dean also drew the eyes of Eliot Shorr-Parks. We’ve seen videos of the young linebacker working out individually away from the rest of the team and today was no exception, which is great for his rehabilitation. Maybe there is a chance we see him back on the roster before the beginning of the new campaign after all.
Rookies putting on a show
Jihaad Campbell’s first NFL training camp has been a big success thus far, despite some wobbly reps against the run. However, we’re now seeing Vic Fangio line him up off the EDGE, which is very intriguing. We know how violently explosive he can be as a pass-rusher, and with depth still light there and an abundance of talent at linebacker, it definitely makes sense for Fangio to experiment, just as he is with Cooper DeJean at Safety in certain packages.
We also got our first real Smael Mondon Jr. sighting of the Summer. The feisty rookie linebacker has plenty of twitchiness and explosiveness downhill, and that’s showing during the heart of Training Camp. He’s still quite raw in terms of pass coverage, but with his athletic traits off the charts, it won’t take long for the Eagles to begin finding ways to utilize them, just as they have with Jalyx Hunt.
CB2 update
The battle between Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson has been an exciting one thus far, and it’s still far too early to draw any conclusions, although it is encouraging to see Ringo getting his flowers here. He’s an uber-athletic DB with frankly stunning amounts of fluidity for a corner his size, and going against some of the top route-runners in the league should only benefit his growth long-term. We’ll have to see how he fares in game situations on the outside this preseason.
Special teams need?
With Britain Covey no longer on the roster, many wondered if there would be a drive to find a new punt returner. This is mainly because the teams’ previous pivot was Cooper DeJean, who led the team in punt returns last year, but as a vital cog in their defense, he’s not really someone you’d want taking special teams hits regularly.
However, despite Special Teams’ coordinator Michael Clay earlier clarifying that we won’t see much of CDJ fielding punts, the second-year DB then did exactly that in practice.
Realistically, there is a chance for a lesser-known wideout/running back to stake their claim. Someone as elusive as Ainias Smith comes to mind, for instance. But if it ain’t broke, then why fix it, I guess…
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
