Eagles practice observations: Makai Lemon feels it; Jalen Carter dominates; how much will Jalen Hurts run?

The Eagles held their third practice of their 2026 training camp on Saturday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations from Day 3 (and links to Day 1 and 2):

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The Eagles had four excused absences for noninjury related reasons: tackle Lane Johnson, linebacker Jihaad Campbell, wide receiver Elijah Moore, and defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham. Campbell, it appeared, missed practice to return to Alabama for graduation after completing his degree.

Tackle Cameron Williams (knee contusion) and rookie safety Cole Wisniewski (hamstring) were the first entries on the Eagles’ injury list. Williams left Thursday’s practice early. They’ll likely be joined on the sideline by guard Micah Morris, who walked off the field on Saturday and didn’t return. Fellow rookie guard Jaeden Roberts suffered a more significant injury and could be out for an extended period. His left leg bent back awkwardly when he got pushed back into another lineman during the last play of the development period. He was carted inside after trainers stabilized his leg.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. took Campbell’s spot at inside linebacker alongside Zack Baun. Nakobe Dean’s offseason exit in free agency was predictable, once the Eagles selected Campbell in the first round of the 2025 draft. But Trotter was another luxury that made it easier to part ways with Dean. He has starter capabilities and flashed again on Saturday (see below).

Fred Johnson filled in for Lane Johnson at right tackle, which allowed rookie Markel Bell to switch from right to left tackle with the second-unit offense. Also notable: outside linebackers Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt swapped sides for the first time this camp, with the former on the right and the latter on the left. Left tackle Jordan Mailata had more success vs. Smith than he did vs. Hunt in the first two days of camp.

Makai Lemon was targeted more than he was in the first two days, but that didn’t mean the receiver had more receptions. During seven-on-sevens, safety Andrew Mukuba was quick to Lemon on a stick route and nearly had an interception after running through the rookie. Later in team drills inside the red zone, a good play call got Lemon matched up against a linebacker on a short crosser in the end zone. Trotter hooked Lemon to the ground and was flagged for pass interference.

Later, Jalen Hurts went to the receiver on a deep route out of the slot. Nickel cornerback Cooper DeJean initially was a half-step behind, but he closed on Lemon as the pass sailed out of reach. Lemon faced predraft concerns about his ability to get separation downfield. I don’t think those questions have been close to answered either way. But he clearly knows what he’s doing on underneath routes and carries himself with confidence, even if he got knocked around some on Saturday.

Vic Fangio’s defense had another solid performance, which is to be expected as offensive coordinator Sean Mannion installs his new offense. Jalen Carter stood out again. The defensive tackle batted an early Hurts pass incomplete and got to the quarterback after bouncing off guard Tyler Steen on an inside rush.

Hunt beat Fred Johnson for another likely sack during red-zone drills. Safety Marcus Epps had tight end Dallas Goedert in his pocket when Hurts was forced to float a deep ball out of harm’s way. Baun knocked a pass to the ground a play before Carter got his mitt on one of Hurt’s throws.

Trotter had impressive moments in the red-zone period. He beat Steen to running back Saquon Barkley on an off-tackle run. And he got a hand on a checkdown to Barkley two plays later. Hurts was forced to scramble several times in the early portion of practice. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when he motored into the secondary on one play. But the offense functions better when Hurts is hitting his first reads.

We hadn’t seen much of Hurts and the zone-read game, which partly compelled me to ask Mannion his thoughts on the quarterback as a runner before practice. He said there’s room in the offense for that element, although more of Hurts under center naturally will make him less of a plus-one factor.

Hurts didn’t run as much last season, nor was he as effective when he kept the ball on the ground. The Shanahan-McVay offense is designed to be run-based, so ideally the Eagles won’t need their quarterback to run as much. Protecting Hurts is of the utmost important, but his mobility is often what made him dynamic in his first six seasons.

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Right on cue, Hurts kept on a run-pass-run option in the red zone and waltzed into the end zone ahead of a half-hearted Smith on Saturday. The plays are scripted before practice, but I’ve convinced myself Mannion called that play to appease me.

We also saw our first glimpse of the screen game. Barkley didn’t have much room after Carter beat Steen to his spot. But Goedert had space and lead blockers later in the red zone. It’s still to be determined how much Barkley and the running backs will be featured in the passing game. Barkley said he thinks there are opportunities for him to be more prominent as a receiver in this system.

He was asked to stay in and help with protection more last season. A lot of that had to do with injuries on the offensive line. But blocking has never been a forte. Mannion didn’t reveal much when asked about running backs in the pass game, but he clearly would rather have Barkley run routes than block. Defenses are going to send extra rushers at Hurts, so the running backs will need to help. Tank Bigsby did well to pick up a DeJean blitz off the edge during the third-down period.

Mannion’s offense did have its moments. Hurts hit receiver Hollywood Brown on a deep cross in team drills. DeJean was the trailing defender, but he had no inside assistance when Mukuba dropped deep. Brown ran a nifty route that turned corner Ambry Thomas around when the second units met.

DeVonta Smith had a relatively quiet day, although he hauled in a floater ahead of corner Mac McWilliams at one point. Hurts had solid pass protection and maybe an unrealistic amount of time, but he hung in the pocket and delivered a strike. The quarterback later ripped one to Britain Covey on a deep cross, but the receiver couldn’t hang on. Covey otherwise was reliable when targeted.

Receiver Dontayvion Wicks gave slot corner Michael Carter II a little hesitation shake on a slant route and picked up a first down during third down.

McWilliams remains a bit an unknown. He didn’t play much last season as a rookie. It’s unclear if the Eagles see him more as a slot or boundary corner. He’s been at the former for most of camp so far. He had a couple of pass breakups while covering rookie tight end Eli Stowers during third down. Quarterback Tanner McKee appeared to be a touch off on the first throw, but McWilliams made sure Stowers couldn‘t secure the second.

Cornerback Jakorian Bennett dragged down receiver Quez Watkins for pass interference after getting beat on a deep release. He rebounded later when he ripped the ball from receiver Johnny Wilson on an Andy Dalton dart over the middle. McKee and Dalton continued to split snaps with the second unit.

Cole Payton bounced back from an unfortunate second day in which he tossed three picks. The rookie quarterback is no Checkdown Charlie. On his first drop, he uncorked a seed to receiver Danny Gray. He later called his own number twice on plays with an option draw.

One quick aside: We haven’t seen tight ends featured as receivers much in the offense so far. It could be just the plays Mannion currently is installing or how the cookie crumbled in terms of pass distribution. But it’s no secret that the Shanahan-McVay offense often deploys a blocking tight end. Johnny Mundt has a clear edge in that role.

Covey was first up in fielding punts, but DeJean, Lemon, and Watkins also took turns. … The Eagles went with a rookie at long snapper this offseason, but Rocco Underwood isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. He’s looked fine so far, although he had a few high snaps in punting drills on Saturday. … The Eagles had many servicemen and women in attendance during Military Appreciation Day. … Sunday is an off day for players. The team returns for three straight practices starting Monday. Tuesday will be the first in full pads.

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The first days of Eagles training camp practice in South Philadelphia are in the books. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner check in with key observations and highlight emerging early storylines to kick off unCovering the Birds’ coverage of the 2026 season.  unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season. We’re always looking for mailbag questions! Hit Jeff up on his socials, or drop a question in the comments. Jeff could answer it in a future episode! Listen here.

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