Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Nolan Smith contributes to defensive line dominance

Monday marked the fourth Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp observe forward of the 2024 season. Immediately’s session lasted for about 90 minutes. Right here’s what I noticed on the NovaCare Advanced.

EAGLES PRACTICE NOTES

JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Immediately was simply Hurts’ worst observe to date this summer season.

In equity, the Eagles’ beginning quarterback was continually beneath stress with Tyler Steen and Lane Johnson lacking from the beginning offensive line. However Hurts exacerbated his safety’s struggles by holding onto the ball for an eternity.

Hurts nonetheless hasn’t put the ball in hurt’s method, which is clearly good. And he did have back-to-back completions to Will Shipley and Kenny Gainwell (the wheel route remains to be undefeated) in 7-on-7.

However Hurts missed an opportunity for a spotlight completion when he significantly overthrew an open John Ross ultimately zone. The wobbly ball was his most off-target miss to date in camp.

Hurts had a deep completion to DeVonta Smith for a landing however it got here after Milton Williams had him lifeless to rights within the backfield for a “sack.” Avonte Maddox was trailing properly behind DeVonta with the thought that the play was already over. DeVonta made a formidable sideline catch that additionally got here after Hurts was probably “sacked.”

I used to be initially eager about going “thumbs sideways” for Hurts for the reason that offense’s struggles weren’t fully his fault. However I leaned in the direction of the beneficiant aspect on Day 3 once I was between up/sideways. So I’ll lean in the direction of the opposite aspect and go thumbs down right here to stability it out on this very critical and scientific exercise.

Day 1: Thumbs up

Day 2: Thumbs up

Day 3: Thumbs up

Day 4: Thumbs down

EAGLES INJURY UPDATES: Nick Sirianni mentioned Tyler Steen (ankle) can be out “just a little bit.” Saquon Barkley (private causes) and Lane Johnson (toe) didn’t observe. Johnson’s damage isn’t thought-about critical. Trevor Keegan (arm) left observe early however returned to the sphere after a visit contained in the crew’s facility. Keegan was seen signing autographs after observe, so, possibly it’s nothing too critical. Brett Toth (hamstring) was upgraded to restricted after sitting out the primary three days. Oren Burks (knee) hasn’t practiced for the reason that first day of camp. Sydney Brown remains to be on energetic/PUP and Cooper DeJean remains to be on energetic/NFI.
With Steen and Lane Johnson out, the Eagles had Mekhi Becton at proper guard and Fred Johnson at proper deal with. The altered second-team offensive line seemed like this from left to proper: Anim Dankwah, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Matt Hennessy, Darian Kinnard. Hennessy was beforehand the second-team middle and Kinnard had been taking part in at guard.
Kudos to the Eagles’ defensive position for making the most of a weakened offensive line. Nolan Smith particularly stood out with back-to-back “sacks” on Hurts. His first got here when he used his flexibility to dip beneath Fred Johnson and get to Hurts earlier than the quarterback might even understand what occurred; a really fast win. On the subsequent rep, Smith used an inside transfer to get previous Johnson and get to Hurts. Clearly have to see Smith have success in opposition to increased high quality competitors however this was an encouraging day for his improvement.

CORNERBACK TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the third day in a row, Kelee Ringo took the primary first-team cornerback reps throughout from Darius Slay in 11-on-11. That’s three for Ringo to at least one for Isaiah Rodgers. Nevertheless it was Rodgers who arguably made the play of the day by pulling down a Kenny Pickett move ultimately zone to stop a deep landing to Joseph Ngata. It was a great ball by the backup quarterback; he gave his receiver an opportunity to make the seize. Nevertheless it was a good higher play by Rodgers, who continues to exhibit spectacular ball expertise.

LINEBACKER TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the fourth day in a row, Devin White and Zack Baun have been the primary first-team linebackers in 11-on-11. White continues to look explosive. The veteran linebacker had nice protection on a brief move to Will Shipley within the flat. White practically broke up the move however needed to accept pushing the operating again out of bounds instantly after the ball was caught. Final yr’s Eagles linebackers weren’t doing something like that in observe.
With Barkley out, Will Shipley noticed an elevated workload. It didn’t take lengthy into observe for him to log a number of targets, together with the aforementioned wheel route catch. That was a pleasant hands-extended, over-the-shoulder seize by the rookie. Shipley is wanting like a fairly pure pass-catcher.
A remark from Avonte Maddox’s post-practice press convention mirrored a actuality we’ve seen: Eagles extensive receivers are lining up in numerous spots extra usually. Maddox particularly mentioned he’s seeing DeVonta within the slot extra usually than earlier than.
Johnny Wilson noticed some extra first-team reps once more right now. He didn’t do something with them that basically stood out however it’s nonetheless noteworthy. Regardless of being drafted later than Ainias Smith, Wilson might need a greater probability of constructing the crew and having some sort of offensive function.
Second-team security James Bradberry had a pleasant diving move breakup on a Pickett move thrown over the center. First time Bradberry has popped this summer season.
Not an amazing observe for Tyrion Davis-Value, who dropped a number of passes. TDP handled drops and in addition had a fumble again in spring practices.
Griffin Hebert made a snazzy snag on a Will Grier throw in the course of the developmental interval in the direction of the tip of observe. Second observe the place Hebert has stood out. Might be making his case to be on the observe squad once more.
Sorry for the delay in getting right now’s notes posted. My automotive failing to start out after observe wasn’t a really enjoyable or welcomed improvement.

UP NEXT: The Eagles observe once more tomorrow beginning at 10:00 AM Jap. It’ll be their first padded observe now that the mandated ramp up interval is over.