Thursday’s practice at the NovaCare Complex saw the Philadelphia Eagles continue their preparations for the 2025 season, with players working in shells after a walk-through on Wednesday.
Several players remained out due to injuries. Zack Baun and DeVonta Smith were sidelined with back issues, Andrew Mukuba was out with a shoulder injury, and Nolan Smith was absent due to a concussion. New additions to the injury list included E.J. Jenkins (hamstring) and Terrace Marshall (knee).
During practice, Kelee Ringo made notable plays by breaking up a pass in the end zone and maintaining tight coverage on another play. Adoree’ Jackson started with the first team, but Ringo’s performance stood out. Moro Ojomo continued his strong showing in training camp, applying quick pressure on a bull rush as he competes for more playing time this season.
Rookie Mac McWilliams broke up a pass along the sideline and has been used in various roles during camp. Quinyon Mitchell commented on McWilliams’ progress: “I feel like he’s handling it really well, so he’s been great so far,” Mitchell said.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed several passes, including one to Jahan Dotson for about 20 yards and another well-timed throw to Grant Calcaterra. Hurts also demonstrated agility during a scramble against rookie linebacker Smael Mondon.
Jordan Mailata, recognized as Pro Football Focus’s top-graded overall player last season, showed mobility as a puller in run plays. Dallas Goedert dropped an early pass but later made an impressive leaping catch despite falling hard.
Eli Ricks intercepted Hurts during an end-of-game scenario, continuing his strong training camp performance. ShunDerrick Powell had a notable run that impressed those watching from the sidelines.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee completed long passes to Cameron Latu and Johnny Wilson in consecutive plays as he adjusts to his role behind Hurts. Jordan Davis and Patrick Johnson recorded would-be sacks late in practice, while Davis also effectively contained Hurts on a rollout.
On special teams, there is change this year following Jake Elliott’s record-setting postseason performance in 2024—he set an NFL Super Bowl record for points scored by a kicker (16) and established the franchise mark for most postseason points by a kicker (43). The operation will see new personnel after Charley Hughlett joined via free agency following ten seasons with the Cleveland Browns without missing a game until last year.
“The World Champions come calling, you’re going to go. I know there’s a track record of three Pro Bowlers in a row that have been here (Mike Bartrum, Jon Dorenbos, and Rick Lovato), so would love to add to that,” Hughlett said on Thursday. “My job is to make sure they are as successful as possible. So for me, it’s learning what they like. I want them to continue to do what they do because they’re very good at what they do and I want them to be as comfortable as possible, so I don’t want them to change a lot, I want to come in and adjust to them.”
Braden Mann enters his third season with Philadelphia after joining during the 2023 campaign; he serves both as punter and holder for Elliott. In his first year with the Eagles he set franchise records for gross (49.8) and net (43.9) punting averages.
“He’s a total professional,” Mann said of Hughlett. “It’s not so much catching snaps that’s totally different. It’s kind of just everything else pre-snap, post-snap, just kind of a rhythm thing.”
“We’re a new unit. It’s just kind of getting those reps in to make everything muscle memory. It’s been awesome,” Hughlett added.
Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay plans to use preseason games to determine return roles after signing wide receiver Avery Williams in free agency; Clay praised Williams’ skills as personal protector on punt returns and mentioned A.J. Dillon could be used on kickoff returns due to his size advantage.
“I guess I’d pose the question to you guys. Would you guys want to try to tackle a guy that’s 240 pounds running straight downhill at you?” Clay said. “But again, he has a ball in his hands a lot of the time. Ball security is imperative, especially on kickoff return.”
Other potential returners include Cooper DeJean, Will Shipley, Ainias Smith, and newcomer Keilan Robinson.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni is scheduled for media availability Friday morning ahead of practice; select players will also speak afterwards.
