PHILADELPHIA – Andrew Mukuba did not play in the 34-27 Eagles preseason opening win over the Bengals last Thursday due to a shoulder injury. However, the second-round pick made up for his absence in his Eagles debut against the Browns.
In fact, the last time Mukuba took the field in an actual game was over seven months ago in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Mukuba shook off the dust in impressive fashion with a 75-yard pick six and a fumble recovery in the second quarter in a 22-13 loss to the Browns Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
“It felt good first game back. We didn’t get the results we wanted, but just coming back felt amazing. I feel like there were things I could work on, but overall it felt fantastic being back out there,” Mukuba said in front of a large scrum in front of his locker room.
With rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel marching down the field for a touchdown on Cleveland’s opening drive, the Browns offense was on the move once again in their second series. Garbiel tried to squeeze in a pass towards the sideline with a pair of receivers in the area. Mukuba stuck with the play, split in between both wideouts, picking off Gabriel, jetting up field for a 75-yard pick six.
“That was my first-ever pick six. That was a great feeling. I was just in the right position, read my assignment and my keys. Got a run-pass key. I was surprised he was throwing it because I was literally right there. As soon as I caught it, I had it in my mind that I had to get to the end zone,” Mukuba said smiling.
The safety had a career-high five interceptions in his lone season at Texas last year and six total in his career with one other coming as a sophomore at Clemson. The one on Saturday will not count as an official interception towards his stats, but it was a promising sign on what Mukuba could be in the back end of the defensive secondary.
“He just has a knack for getting to the football,” Head Coach Nick Sirianni said.
Mukuba showcased his ability to get to the football later on in the quarter. After the Eagles offense sputtered, Mukuba once again delivered. On a messy exchange on a handoff by the Browns, the rookie alertly pounced on the loose football setting up the Eagles deep in Cleveland’s territory.
It is tough to draw up a better first impression for the rookie, who is battling with Sydney Brown for the second starting safety spot alongside Reed Blankenship.
Jihaad Campbell with fast start
Jihaad Campbell showed his impressive athleticism and explosiveness on the second play of the game, blitzing through the gap nearly untouched for his first sack of the preseason. Last week against the Bengals, the first-round pick had three tackles. He finished with four tackles in the loss to the Browns.
Campbell, constantly yearning to learn, made sure to chat it up with Browns’ star pass rusher Myles Garrett earlier in the week during the joint practices where Campbell described the conversation as a “Just two freaks talking”.
CB2 still up for grabs
This game was a chance to for Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett to create separation and prove why they are deserving of the starting spot on the outside opposite of Quinyon Mitchell. Bennett may have stood out the most amongst the trio.
Bennett had a nice pass break up early in the game before suffering an apparent left shoulder injury making a tackle that forced him to stay down on the sideline after the play. He walked off under his own power and returned in the second half which was a good sign, since he has a history of shoulder injuries.
Ringo and Jackson did not standout in what was another audition for the duo. Mac McWilliams who saw some increased reps on the outside leading up to the game played opposite of Bennett late in the second half.
Mondon solid
Smael Mondon Jr. turned in a notable performance Saturday racking up four tackles, all solo, including one for a loss on a nice play where he shed his blocker and tackled Pierre Strong on a screen pass. He had to head to the locker room and returned after getting his wrist taped. Mondon Jr. said his wrist was good after the game.
DTR and McCord both struggled
The battle for the third string quarterback spot was lackluster as both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Kyle McCord both struggled to get in sync in a game where Sirianni said the team did not play “complimentary football” throughout.
DTR got the start but finished 5-of-8 for just 17 yards and an interception which was taken back for a touchdown. McCord was 8-of-16 through the air for 47 yards. He did throw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ainias Smith, his second touchdown reception in as many weeks, to highlight the struggling offense.
The Eagles wrap up the preseason with a trip to MetLife Stadium when they visit the New York Jets. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
