The Eagles held the 12th practice of their 2026 training camp on Monday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations from Day 12 (and links to Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11):
DeVonta Day
DeVonta Smith returned to action after sitting out the last few weeks with a hamstring strain. He was limited and participated in individual drills. The Eagles are likely ramping him up ahead of this week’s joint practices with the Patriots. Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell (glute) and Cooper DeJean (groin) made full returns and should be ready to face A.J. Brown, etc. in New England.
The injury list grew after Saturday’s preseason opener. The following suffered injuries in Baltimore and missed practice: running back Tank Bigsby (toe), cornerback Jakorian Bennett (knee), cornerback Mac McWilliams (groin), tight end Grant Calcaterra (back), tackle John Ojukwu (pectoral), cornerback Shaun Wade (eye/shoulder), and outside linebacker Jose Ramirez (hamstring).
The following remained out: receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring), cornerback Jonathan Jones (shoulder), receiver Johnny Wilson (knee), and running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring). The following were upgraded to limited participants: safety Cole Wisniewski (hamstring), outside linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (heel), and receiver Danny Gray (concussion). Lemon did some sprints on a separate field. He’s running out of time if he wants to play in the preseason.
Defensive tackle Uar Bernard wasn’t listed on the injury report, but he didn’t practice. I can see a future setback that lands the football neophyte on injured reserve for the season.
Start ‘em up
The Eagles had a relatively light workout ahead of their trip north. First-unit players, most of whom didn’t face the Ravens, took most of the team drill repetitions. The same will likely hold for the joint practices. Coach Nick Sirianni is hoping the sessions with the Patriots carry a lot of weight ahead of the regular season, especially for his offense as it learns a new scheme. If Saturday showed anything, it’s that there could be a prolonged learning curve.
Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion said before practice that he could open up the playbook a little more in Foxboro. The Eagles should have their entire projected starting lineup if Smith goes. They could be light at receiver and running back, but the offensive line will enter intact. Right tackle Lane Johnson and left guard Landon Dickerson have mostly been partial participants in camp, but they appeared to take every snap on Monday.
Gimme Carter
Defensive back Michael Carter II made the play of the day when he intercepted quarterback Jalen Hurts in team drills. Hurts threw to Quez Watkins on an intermediate route over the middle and Carter undercut the receiver to make a contested grab. It was a tight-window throw with a lot of bodies in the area. I’m not sure if Watkins’ route was precise or not, but it was another middle-field pick for Hurts. He’s had some strong throws in that area, but Sirianni may need to lower his turnover expectations if there are going to be more passes in between the numbers.
Carter has locked down his spot on the roster. He may not have beat out Marcus Epps for the nickel safety spot, but the dime position appears to be his. He should also be DeJean’s backup in the slot. Carter got home for two would-be sacks off slot blitzes during team drills on Monday. I’m intrigued to see the built-in answers Mannion has schemed up for his quarterback when he’s “hot.” I’m not sure why Hurts held the ball on both occasions.
Mitchie-poo
The field tilts when Mitchell is manning the right side. We haven’t seen him follow a receiver since Smith’s injury, but he could be tasked with shadowing ex-teammate Brown later this week. They had their battles in Philly. Hurts did go at Mitchell on his first drop. Receiver Dontayion Wicks couldn’t shake the corner on a dig route and the pass sailed incomplete.
Kelee Ringo replaced Mitchell when he took his first few rests. I’m not sure if this represented a promotion with Bennett and McWilliams sidelined. Ringo had an interception against the Ravens, but he had shaky moments, too. If either Mitchell or Riq Woolen was to get hurt, DeJean would likely move to the outside. Carter in the slot is a better option than any of the backups on the outside.
For the defense
Vic Fangio’s first unit defense appeared, overall, to get the better of Hurts and Co. in about 25 plays. It wasn’t a lopsided performance by any stretch, but the turnover and several sacks gave the defense the edge. Hurts was forced to throw underneath a fair amount, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He hooked up with receiver Darius Cooper and tight end Dallas Goedert on short hitch routes during the first set.
The offense’s best moment might have come on a Hurts-to-Hollywood Brown connection for about 20 yards. Brown ran a curl route and settled in a soft spot in a deep zone. He made the catch and turned upfield ahead of Woolen for a few extra yards. Hurts then hit Gray on a slant on the next play.
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There were a few other completions: a short toss to Elijah Moore when he was the third read on a naked bootleg and another shortie to the slot receiver. Hurts kept a play alive — even though Carter had eased off on a would-be sack — and threw to an open Goedert. But the tight end bobbled the ball and couldn’t reel it in.
Run it up
Barkley tweaked his ankle last week and didn’t warm up with the other starters ahead of the Ravens game. He was back in uniform, though, and took a few handoffs. Barkley hasn’t been kept in bubblewrap, but the Eagles have also been careful with their No. 1 running back. Bigsby will be the No. 2, but the guess here is that those expecting significantly more carries this season will be disappointed. Barkley will be the workhorse again.
He didn’t have much room when edge Nolan Smith Jr. and defensive tackle Jalen Carter blew up a couple of his rushes. Barkley did have a productive dash to the outside. Will Shipley and Carson Steele got a fair amount of first- team totes with Bigsby out. Shipley and Hurts had a botched exchange on a pitch. It was tough sledding for both tailbacks, but there were a few inside runs into the second level.
Line dance
It was mostly the topliners up front who took reps in one- on-ones. Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo was able to swim by Dickerson on their first matchup, but the guard rebounded and stood firm against a bull rush. Left tackle Jordan Mailata easily handled edge Jalyx Hunt on both his rushes. Tackle Fred Johnson had a couple of strong sets vs. Smith. Hunt, it should be noted, recorded a sack in team drills.
Tyler Steen and Jalen Carter have had some battles in camp. Carter swam by the right guard in one-on-ones and bowled over him on the second turn. Steen might have had payback on his mind when he knocked the defensive tackle off his feet in team drills. Alas, the play resulted in Michael Carter’s interception.
Willie conk-a
Willie Lampkin was one of the few standouts on offense in the preseason opener. Loyal readers know I’ve been touting his abilities in camp. He has all the tools to compete in the NFL minus, maybe, his lack of size. But he sure makes up for it with his technique, acumen and effort.
He took a lone snap vs. defensive tackle Byron Young in one-on-ones and had yet another win by my count. Lampkin and the second unit O-line didn’t get many snaps during team drills. On Thursday, the fight between Johnson and Ojomo ended practice early. I didn’t see any encounters between the pair several days later. But I did see Lampkin help Ojomo off the ground as Johnson stood nearby.
Ojomo addressed the fight after practice. “It’s football … I made a mistake,” he said. It’s time to move on.
Back to basics
Quarterback Andy Dalton was first up with the twos. Tanner McKee also got some snaps. As noted above, there weren’t many reps to go around, but the second-unit offense still looked ineffective. Dalton had to throw the ball away a few times. McKee essentially tossed one into the dirt when his receivers were all covered.
Linebacker Chance Campbell, who missed time with a groin strain, was back in team drills. Wisniewski blitzed at one point. He has a lot of ground to make up.
Extra points
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell had a couple run stops. His talent is undeniable. He just needs to play. … Cole Payton took the last few snaps at quarterback. He had another scramble for positive yards. … The Eagles will have a walkthrough on Tuesday before traveling to New England. Joint practices with the Patriots will begin at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday and last about two hours.
Lane Johnson rejoined training camp this past week after a multi-day absence, but his return brought with it the announcement that 2026 is “probably” going to be his last NFL season. What does the prospect of the All-Pro’s retirement mean in both the short- and long-term? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Ryan Novozinsky take a look at what the Eagles can expect from Johnson in his 14th year as a pro, and who might be waiting in the wings to replace him. Listen here.
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