August 24, 2026

Game ball, three stars, and snap count analysis: Preseason Week 2, Eagles at Patriots

Tanner McKee showed he's clearly the Eagles' best QB2 option, the OL depth looks upgraded, and other standouts from Saturday's preseason game.

By Jimmy Kempski
PhillyVoice Staff

Gregory Fisher/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

RB/FB Carson Steele has put himself in the conversation to make the Eagles' 53-man roster.

In their second preseason game against the New England Patriots, the Philadelphia Eagles played 63 snaps on offense and 73 on defense. Let's just get right to the snap counts, some notes, and some special recognition.

Quarterback

• 38 snaps: Tanner McKee

• 22 snaps: Andy Dalton

• 3 snaps: Cole Payton

Notes: Dalton was 3 of 10 for 44 yards and just did not look very good, throwing inaccurately twice to open receivers on the opening drive.

McKee had a good game, completing 16 of 22 passes for 173 yards and 2 TDs. He nearly had a third TD on a well-placed ball to E.J. Jenkins, but Jenkins was unable to make the contested catch.

McKee is very clearly the better player. He is a legitimate QB2. Dalton probably is not at this stage of his career, and the Eagles should try to find a team who thinks he is. I'm not sure what exactly the Eagles are doing, pretending that this is even a competition.

Running back

• 43 snaps: Carson Steele

• 20 snaps: Will Shipley

Notes: Shipley had the benefit of running behind a stellar blocking effort by the Eagles' second-team offensive line. I thought he ran hard and with good vision. 11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD.

Steele had a great game as a receiver — and hurdler — catching 6 passes for 84 yards and a TD. He played himself into roster consideration, in my opinion. I'm certainly curious to see more of him in the preseason finale against the Bengals on Friday.

Ja'Quinden Jackson suffered what appeared to be a serious injury on the game's opening kickoff. He was taken off on a cart, but was well enough to return to Philly with the team following the game.

Wide receiver

• 53 snaps: Quez Watkins

• 45 snaps: Samori Toure

• 26 snaps: Erik Ezukanma

• 19 snaps: Britain Covey

• 18 snaps: Darius Cooper

• 3 snaps: Brandon Hayes

Notes: Cooper was in and out of this game relatively quickly, making 3 catches for 44 yards on 4 targets. He had a nice showing. Covey also had a nice catch and run for a TD, but he did muff a punt, so he probably did more damage to his standing than good.

Tight end

• 25 snaps: Stone Smartt

• 22 snaps: Cameron Latu

• 21 snaps: E.J. Jenkins

• 20 snaps: Eli Stowers

Notes: Stowers got open down the field but was overthrown by Dalton. I thought Latu and Jenkins looked good as blockers in the early parts of the game that I rewatched.

Offensive line

• 63 snaps: Jake Majors

• 45 snaps: Micah Morris

• 41 snaps each: Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton

• 29 snaps: Michael Jordan

• 22 snaps each: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson

• 18 snaps: Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall

• 16 snaps: Zeke Correll

Notes: The second-team offensive line was the story of this game, particularly Kendall, Lampkin, and Bell. They were awesome. Bell looks fantastic, which is one of the Eagles' best outcomes of the summer.

I cut up a dozen highlights from their night.

The Eagles' second-team O-line was awesome Saturday night in New England. A thread... 🧵
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) August 23, 2026

The Eagles' interior OL depth was a concern heading into training camp. It's not anymore, and actually is looking like a significant strength.

Edge defenders

• 43 snaps: Jose Ramirez

• 37 snaps: Tarron Jackson

• 36 snaps: Joshua Weru

• 15 snaps each: Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa

Notes: Epenesa had a bunch of nice plays against the run, with a few individual run stops.

Weru is an explosive athlete, and I'm not so sure the Eagles can expose him to waivers if they want to keep developing him. He'll get claimed.

Interior defensive line

• 50 snaps: Gabe Hall

• 44 snaps: Ty Robinson

• 37 snaps: Zion Wilson

• 25 snaps: David Blay

• 17 snaps: Uar Bernard

Notes: Robinson had a pair of sacks, solidifying his spot on the roster. He's now a lock.

Bernard made a couple of nice plays against the run while two-gapping. I don't think the Eagles will be able to sneak him on the practice squad either.

Linebacker

• 36 snaps: Deontae Lawson

• 34 snaps: Smael Mondon

• 32 snaps: Chance Campbell

• 21 snaps: Jeremiah Trotter

• 20 snaps: Brandon George

Notes: Trotter made two really nice plays. He perfectly timed out a blitz for an immediate sack and he made a nice open field tackle on a scrambling Tommy DeVito.

Mondon and Campbell flew around the field as well.

Cornerback and safety

• 53 snaps: Andre' Sam

• 42 snaps: Shaun Wade

• 39 snaps each: Maximus Pulley, Kapena Gushiken, Isaiah Bolden

• 34 snaps: Kelee Ringo

• 23 snaps: Ambry Thomas

• 20 snaps each: Cole Wisniewski, J.T. Gray

• 18 snaps: Mac McWilliams

• 14 snaps: Michael Carter

Notes: Ringo nearly had a pick six. He read the route, broke on it, and put himself in position to make an INT, but the ball slipped through his hands and into his facemask. Still, he seems to be playing with more confidence.

Thomas and Wade got attacked by the Pats' third stringers. They're not long for the roster.

I'm a little surprised Wisniewski only played 20 snaps. He's been out most of the summer, so I figured they'd want to get a long look at him.

McWilliams played outside corner after playing in the slot Week 1. It's a good sign for him that he got looks at multiple positions.

Gush got into the backfield for a nice tackle on a run play.