August 07, 2026
Day 7 was the hottest of Philadelphia Eagles training camp, by far, and it was a solid day for the Birds' top three quarterbacks as well as the offense as a whole. As always, we have practice notes.
• With DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon both out — and Dontayvion Wicks absent for most of practice — Jalen Hurts spread the ball around. He completed multiple passes to Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, and Darius Cooper, and also connected with Hollywood Brown and E.J. Jenkins. He also took off running and juked Cooper DeJean in the open field.
There weren't any highlight reel throws or plays from Hurts, but he was able to get it out quickly to his receivers in his progression with the ball rarely hitting the ground. Solid day.
I will say that one habit that Hurts has gotten into this summer is rolling to his right and throwing back across his body to the middle of the field. He completed a pass like that to Cooper today, and it's like the third time I've seen him do that this camp. He has had success with it so far, but that's probably something the Eagles' staff should correct before he falls in love with it.
• I didn't have Darius Cooper on my 53-man roster projection to start camp, but he is going to make the team. He has consistently made several catches every day, and he is also an enthusiastic blocker in the run game. He has been the third-best receiver in camp so far, behind Smith and Wicks.
• Tanner McKee worked with the second-team offense today, and he had his best day of camp. He had a really nice sideline throw to Danny Gray, and the highlight of the day was probably a fade route to the back corner of the end zone to Johnny Wilson, who I thought got one cheek in for the TD reception. That was a well-placed throw by McKee and Wilson did a nice job high-pointing it and making the contested catch.
• That wasn't Wilson's only good play. He also beat Mac McWilliams on a go route down the left sideline. Andy Dalton underthrew it a little, but Wilson had good positioning and boxed out McWilliams for the long gain.
• Nothing Andy Dalton is doing is going to wow anyone, but four times I wrote in my notes, "14 on time." 14 on time to 49. 14 on time to 47. 14 on time to 49. 14 on time to 45.
Dalton never had a Howitzer for an arm, and in his later years what arm strength he had has waned. But he seems to know where to go with the football and it is coming out with good anticipation.
• In addition to the quarterbacks having solid days and getting the ball out quickly, there were some other little signs of encouragement from the offense, like good blitz pickups by Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley. Long way to go, but it's starting to feel like the offense is getting it together a bit.
• Jalen Carter had a batted pass today. He has had a bunch of those this summer. He and Jordan Davis are both really good at getting their big paws up and batting down passes. After practice, Davis was asked what coaching points they have on batted passes. Davis said that they look for the quarterback to take his non-throwing hand off the ball, which signals that he is about to let it rip. At that point, if they're not close enough to hit the quarterback, hands up!
• I watched backup center/guard Willie Lampkin quite a bit today. That dude is small, but strong. He moves linemen in the run game, and I was impressed with how he is able to get his hand on interior defensive linemen, lock out his arms, and anchor against power.
Lampkin is an extreme oddity of an offensive lineman who is only 5'11 and weighs just 290 pounds. He may even be generously listed at 5'11. He was a Rams undrafted free agent who mostly played RG in college, but got some work at center. He was a beast in their preseason games last year. Video via Brandon Thorn:
I'm looking forward to watching him play in the Eagles' preseason games. I believe he has put himself in decent position to earn a roster spot, because of his play and his versatility.
• Undrafted rookie slot CB / safety Kapena Gushiken had a forced fumble and recovery today, when he gave E.J. Jenkins a nice little pop after a reception.
Gushiken doesn't have good size (5'10, 189), but he's fast (4.33 40 at Ole Miss' pro day). Quick highlight reel:
My top three undrafted rookies in camp so far:
• C Cam Jurgens left practice early. I didn't see it, but Zach Berman of The Athletic said that Jurgens went into the medical tent and then inside. Zach said that he was walking normally under his own power, without any help. Jake Majors filled in for Jurgens.
• After four days away with an excused absence, Lane Johnson returned to practice, but he did not participate in team drills. Rookie Markel Bell filled in for him.
• I'm gonna need an occasional cloud at practice tomorrow, thank you in advance.
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