PHILADELPHIA – After a pair of joint practices, the Eagles and Browns will suit up and play their preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Eagles won their first game of the preseason over the Bengals 34-27 while the Browns took down the Panthers 30-10. Both teams will be using the game to evaluate and determine position battles and roster depth.
According to multiple reports, the two practices were not the best for the Eagles, especially on Thursday, so the Eagles will look to clean things up.
Here are five Eagles players to keep an eye on in Saturday’s game.
Drew Mukuba
After missing a good chunk of training camp and the first preseason game with a shoulder injury, the second-round pick returned to the field this week participating and expected to make his debut on Saturday. The rookie is competing with Sydney Brown and Tristin McCollum for the second starting safety spot alongside Reed Blankenship.
“I feel like I’m heading the right way as far as getting everything down, learning the safety position, learning the dime position,” Mukuba told NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro.
Mukuba was one of the top rated safeties in this year’s draft class after shining with the Texas Longhorns and impressed DeVonta Smith in the first volunteer practice the team had earlier in the summer. He is looking to impress Vic Fangio and the coaching staff in his first game Saturday.
Mac McWilliams
The fifth-round pick out of UCF perhaps unexpectedly found himself in the mix for the second outside cornerback spot after getting more reps this week at the position with the second team unit.
McWilliams played collegiately at UAB and UCF and turned in an impressive Senior Bowl back in January against some of the best wide receivers in the country. He has piqued the interest of Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio this summer with the veteran coach noting that McWilliams could be someone that could find a role on the roster.
McWilliams had previously spent the bulk of his practice reps on the inside, but it is noteworthy that the rookie is seeing increased reps on the outside with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson having a tough first game against the Bengals. Jakorian Bennett will take the field in a game as an Eagle for the first time so he will look to make a good first impression while Ringo and Jackson look to bounce back after lackluster performances in the Eagles’ preseason opener.
Brett Toth
Like McWilliams, Toth might find himself in a starting role come September 4 if Landon Dickerson is not ready to play in the season opener after successfully undergoing a minor surgery to repair his meniscus. Dickerson was seen walking and treating fellow offensive linemen on both the Eagles and Browns to some beers after a hard joint practice on Thursday.
Toth had played most reps at left guard in the last two practices and the veteran has earned praise from coaches and teammates alike.
“Brett has done a great job. Regardless of the situation he knows what he’s doing and he’s always prepared,” Tyler Steen said after Thursday’s Eagles practice.
“I like that the depth that we have there. I think Brett’s doing a really good job and he has a lot of versatility,” Sirianni said before the second joint practice.
Toth was harder on himself.
The 28-year-old is a familiar face for the Eagles, now in his third stint with the organization. He has made 20 total appearances and two starts in his career with his most recent start being with Carolina in 2023. Toth will look to hold his own on Saturday to solidify his position as the lead holdover until Dickerson returns.
Darius Cooper
Cooper has been the feel-good story of the camp. The undrafted free agent out of Tarleton State has turned heads all camp long and carried that momentum onto the gridiron in the win over the Bengals. The rookie led all receivers in the game with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
While Cooper said postgame that he grew up idolizing A.J. Brown, the other top target in the receiver room, DeVonta Smith, had high praise for the new wideout.
Cooper looks to continue his hot start to the summer and hold off Elijah Cooks who returned to practice this week after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason game last week which resulted in him being carted off the field. Cooper and Cooks are looking to push Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith who are also battling for the final couple of spots in the wide receiving corp.
Tanner McKee
McKee is not battling for a roster spot. He has cemented himself as the backup quarterback to Jalen Hurts after a very impressive performance against the Bengals, including two strong drives against Cincinnatti’s first string defense to start the game. He completed 20 of his 25 passes for 252 yards and threw two touchdowns while rushing for another on a “Tush Push”. The pocket passer carved up the Bengals defense.
There have been talks that the Eagles should trade McKee for a third-round draft pick or even higher if a team is willing, but McKee is a good insurance policy to have in case Hurts suffers an injury. He has shown poise and command of the huddle seemingly every time he takes the field. McKee is one to watch just to see his stock continue to rise.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
