Philly Leader

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The Philadelphia Eagles face the New England Patriots tonight in their second preseason game (7 PM, NBC10 Philadelphia, NFL Network). With the roster cutdown to 53 players looming on August 27 at 4 PM, several storylines are unfolding.

Jalen Hurts had a strong joint practice on Tuesday. Head Coach Nick Sirianni's distribution of reps among quarterbacks will be observed closely. Behind Hurts, Kenny Pickett and Tanner McKee have shown promise this summer and will face a challenging New England defense. Both led successful drives in Baltimore last week but need to address penalties for more consistent performance. Will Grier did not play in the opener; his participation tonight remains uncertain.

The right guard position is another area of interest. Mekhi Becton appears to be leading the race, having taken first-team reps on Tuesday and played eight snaps last week. Tyler Steen is also in contention, with other candidates possibly emerging as the Eagles seek continuity on the offensive line.

The 2024 draft class made a notable debut last week. Quinyon Mitchell was active defensively, Jalyx Hunt showed energy, and Will Shipley contributed both as a running back and receiver. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith all performed well. Their continued progress will be monitored closely.

Backup wide receivers are vying for spots with Johnny Wilson getting significant first-team looks this summer. Britain Covey has been effective from the slot while John Ross aims to build on his previous catches. Parris Campbell's return adds competition with his size and speed.

In the secondary, James Bradberry's transition from cornerback to safety has been successful alongside Avonte Maddox and Tristin McCollum. The backup safety positions remain contested as does the cornerback spot with Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, Eli Ricks, Zech McPhearson, Josh Jobe, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean all competing.

Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's strategy for Game 2 is under scrutiny after a mixed approach in practice yielded positive results against New England’s offense led by Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye.

As players vie for roster spots or future opportunities elsewhere based on their performances tonight, attention will also be given to special teams play during kickoffs—a crucial element that could influence final roster decisions.