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Today marked the eleventh 2020 Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice open to media. The session was only open to two pool reporters — Zach Berman and John McMullen — since rain forced the team to move inside to their practice bubble. Let’s run through my takeaways from their observations.
PRACTICE NOTES
• The Eagles mostly did 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 work in shorts and shells.
• EAGLES INJURY UPDATE: Doug Pederson confirmed Andre Dillard will be headed to injured reserve at some point due to his biceps injury. Lane Johnson (sixth missed practice), Vinny Curry, Miles Sanders, Javon Hargrave, and Genard Avery are all still out. Quez Watkins missed practice; he’s day-to-day with an upper body injury. John Hightower came up limping at one point today but didn’t leave practice. Dallas Goedert had a planned day off.
Derek Barnett returned to practice for some individual work, which is good to see. Could be truly on track to play Week 1. Sidney Jones returned to team drills for the first time since the second day of camp. Marcus Epps also returned to team drills. Joe Ostman returned to practice after missing Thursday.
• CARSON WENTZ UPDATE: Wentz connected with DeSean Jackson on a “perfect deep ball” where undrafted rookie free agent Michael Jacquet got burned for a touchdown. Wentz also connected with Jackson on a fade route in the end zone against Avonte Maddox. Sounds like it was a good day for No. 11.
• OFFENSIVE LINE UPDATE: The first team offensive line looked like this:
Left tackle — Matt Pryor
Left guard — Isaac Seumalo
Center — Jason Kelce
Right guard — Jason Peters
Right tackle — Jordan Mailata
We’ve never previously seen Pryor take left tackle reps in a practice or game setting. But he might actually be the guy there since Peters is reportedly asking for more money to play at his old position.
Mailata split second team right tackle reps with Jack Driscoll in addition to taking the first team right tackle reps. Mailata has struggled on the left side in practice but he’s looked better there than playing on the right.
• Hightower continues to make plays. The rookie receiver made a “great contested catch” on a Nate Sudfeld fade pass during red zone work. Hightower’s having a fairly strong summer. He should at least have an occasional role on offense. Could be a low volume, high efficiency guy not unlike Mack Hollins was as a rookie in 2017.
• Sudfeld got some work with the first team offense while Hurts did not. Sudfeld is still looking like the No. 2 quarterback behind Wentz to start the season. That could change quickly, though.
• Grayland Arnold broke up a pass while going up against the first team offense. I have the Eagles keeping him on their 53. He’s made a number of good plays in camp.
• Adrian Killins had an active day. Wentz hit the undrafted rookie free agent on the wheel route for a long touchdown with Ostman trailing in coverage. Clearly a mismatch there. Killins also had a nice draw run. AK has generated some hype but I still think he’s more likely to make the practice squad than the roster.
• Elijah Riley notch a pass breakup on a throw to Greg Ward. The UDFA from Army seems like a sure bet for the practice squad.
• The top gunners on punt coverage were Craig James and Rudy Ford. Interesting to note because they’re not necessarily locks to make the 53 ... or are they? I have them firmly on the bubble, with James being more likely to make it.
UP NEXT: The Eagles’ final training camp practice open to media will take place tomorrow at noon. Stay tuned to BGN, as always.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
12:00 PM - Practice begins