Eagles practice observations: Offense has growing pains; Jalyx Hunt shines; Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter return

The Eagles held their first practice of minicamp on Tuesday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations:

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We had our first Lane Johnson spotting of the spring, and, really, since November when he suffered a season-ending Lisfranc foot injury. The right tackle also spoke with reporters after practice for the first time since October. He talked about former offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s departure, among other topics.

Johnson looked in fine shape. He opted to miss most of the Eagles’ offseason program, but returned for this week’s mandatory workouts. We also got our first look at defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was absent from the two open organized team activities. He is believed to be fully recovered from his shoulder woes, but he didn’t participate in team drills. Outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka was the only player from the 90-man roster who was missing.

Makai Lemon remained out with an apparent hamstring strain. The rookie wide receiver was initially sidelined last week. If he misses Wednesday’s session, he should be fully recovered in time for training camp. Tight end Grant Calcaterra was a new addition to the injury list and watched practice. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell is still working his way back from shoulder surgery.

Receiver Britain Covey was still out, as were fullback Carson Steele, linebacker Chandler Martin and safety Tucker Large. Edge Jonathan Greenard also wasn’t active. He, too, is recovering from shoulder surgery, but should be ready by late July.

It would be simple to focus on Vic Fangio’s defense considering how well it performed in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills. His first two units outplayed the offense in my estimation. And maybe they should have since first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is installing a new scheme. Fangio returns seven starters on his side of the ball with many entering Year 3 in his system.

But this offseason is mostly going to be about how quarterback Jalen Hurts and Co. adjust to learning a new offense. There are going to be some ugly moments early on. And we saw plenty on Tuesday. Hurts threw over and behind a covered (by Riq Woolen) DeVonta Smith on two pass plays during seven-on-sevens. The second could have been intercepted by post safety Drew Mukuba if he wasn’t intent on breaking up the pass. There was another toss into traffic that surprised receiver Hollywood Brown and bounced off his shoulder. In team drills, Hurts heaved one ahead of Smith, who had cornerback Quinyon Mitchell on his heels. He later just flicked a pass out of bounds rather than to an open Smith, who was near the line of scrimmage.

There were completions, with most of them of the check down variety to running back Saquon Barkley or tight end Dallas Goedert as a safety outlet. There were also a few over-the-middle hookups. But the first-unit pass offense, which often worked from under center and off play action, looked out of sorts. On a red zone play, both Smith and receiver Dontayvion Wicks were run out of bounds by defenders and Hurts had nothing. Nevertheless, it’s way too soon to make any proclamations about the season. There were bound to be growing pains.

The same thinking could apply to the apparent competition for the backup quarterback spot. Andy Dalton continued to get snaps ahead of Tanner McKee. We haven’t been to every workout this spring and were told that the two split time with the second offense. But McKee no longer has a firm grip on the No. 2 spot, which is mildly surprising.

It’s not like Dalton has overly impressed. Like Hurts a week ago, Dalton’s first pass in seven-on-sevens resulted in an interception. Outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt dropped into coverage and undercut a slant route for the pick. Later on, Dalton was nearly intercepted by cornerback Jonathan Jones. He had some solid throws, too. Dalton found receiver Elijah Moore down the seam on a busted coverage. He twice hit receiver Johnny Wilson on crossers. And he found Danny Gray in the end zone after the receiver beat his man to the sideline.

As Goedert said after practice, the tight end position is central to the Shanahan/McVay style of offense. A lot of that has to do with deception and marrying the run with the pass. But Goedert and others have been featured a fair amount in what is essentially a passing camp. New guy Johnny Mundt might have been brought in primarily as a blocker, but he broke through the secondary and probably would have pulled in a Dalton deep ball had safety Michael Carter not held him.

E.J. Jenkins was on the receiving end of passes from Hurts and Dalton. He saw more time with Calcaterra out. Rookie tight end Eli Stowers has been quiet in the practices we’ve attended. He has a lot to learn.

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Johnson’s return meant a slight change on the offensive line with rookie Markel Bell dropping from first-team right tackle to second-team left tackle. Here’s a look at the updated depth chart:

Drew Kendall was the lone O-lineman I didn’t spot in team drills.

Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo were the first-team defensive tackles in nickel with Carter watching. Byron Young was the third interior lineman in base personnel and was still ahead of second-year defensive tackle Ty Robinson.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. took most of the first-unit repetitions alongside Zack Baun at inside linebacker with Campbell out.

Trotter was around the ball all practice. He blitzed and forced Hurts outside the pocket in team drills. A play later, he filled the hole on a Barkley run. And he nearly picked off rookie quarterback Cole Payton when he worked with the third-unit defense. (Payton almost tossed another interception on the next play, but cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields couldn’t hang on to a ball that hit him in the hands.)

Coach Nick Sirianni didn’t have much to say about A.J. Brown, who was traded to the Patriots last week. He instead focused on the Eagles’ existing receivers when asked about Brown before practice. Sirianni first mentioned Smith, Lemon, and Wicks before he got to Hollywood Brown and Moore. He also mentioned Wilson and Darius Cooper, who didn’t partake in team drills, as “dirty work” receivers.

Brown and Moore were featured most on this day, partly because of the first-unit offense’s struggles. Brown caught several passes from McKee late in the session and flashed strong hands on low throws. Moore, playing with the starters, was set up on a screen pass, but Young wasn’t fooled by misdirection. The receiver later caught a seed from Hurts over the middle.

McKee had some highlights with the third group. He connected with tryout receiver James Proche on a few occasions. He hit receiver Samori Toure over the middle off play-action.

There were defensive standouts, as well. Hunt and Ojomo teamed up for a would-be sack. Defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham batted a Dalton pass. Rookie cornerback Maximus Pulley broke up a Payton toss. Chance Campbell almost got to a Dalton misfire. And corner Kelee Ringo forced a wide throw in the end zone in man coverage.

I narrowed my binoculars on the Eagles’ two international pathway prospects: defensive tackle Uar Bernard and edge Joshua Weru. Needless to say, getting those two acclimated to football at this level will be a process. … The Eagles return on Wednesday for the last practice of minicamp.

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