The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/426k9f8t
Originally published Aug. 25, 2026
PHILADELPHIA — Maybe the Eagles’ defense is really good. It has certainly looked that way through much of the summer.
The alternative isn’t nearly as pleasant.
The Eagles’ offense spent much of Tuesday night’s public practice at Lincoln Financial Field looking like an operation still under construction (which, honestly, it is). Jalen Hurts threw two interceptions to Riq Woolen, missed DeVonta Smith on a deep ball and frequently found himself dealing with pressure.
All this with the Sept. 13 opener against Washington creeping closer as the Birds continue to install their new attack under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
This was never going to be an overnight process. It may take several weeks into the season to get right. But Tuesday was probably the offense’s worst practice of the summer. It was also the most vanilla, and Hurts was back in the shotgun much more than he has been throughout camp — both things on purpose, considering all the added eyeballs and cameras.
The miscues and ball-security issues couldn’t all be blamed on the learning curve of a new system. But head coach Nick Sirianni said beforehand that he and his staff would give similar weight to this practice as to joint practices and preseason games.
There were positive moments. Hurts delivered a touchdown to Saquon Barkley, who made a sliding catch in the front corner of the end zone. Rookie receiver Makai Lemon scored on a wheel route. Hollywood Brown caught a touchdown from Tanner McKee.
But the defense won the Eagles’ competitive scoring system 58-36 in front of an announced crowd of 45,000 fans.
Woolen provided the exclamation point. He jumped Smith’s route late to intercept Hurts a second time and took it roughly 75 yards to the house. Quinyon Mitchell nearly had a pick after a pass went through Darius Cooper’s hands.
Outside linebacker Nolan Smith beat Lane Johnson with a move inside for an early pressure. Jalyx Hunt later beat Fred Johnson for another. Moro Ojomo got past rookie Drew Kendall, who started at left guard with Landon Dickerson resting.
Vic Fangio’s defense has controlled much of camp. And the players on ‘D’ don’t sound satisfied.
Nolan Smith said Tuesday this defense has “no ceiling,” a sentiment echoed by Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba when discussing a unit loaded with young talent.
“We’re working every day, day by day, building brick by brick how we want it,” Smith said. “With Coach Fangio at the helm, I feel like anything’s possible for us. Everybody in our room trusts him, believes in his word. He’s a phenomenal coach.”
That’s encouraging. And it can only help Mannion’s offense in the long run.
Sirianni said the new offensive coordinator has been demanding throughout the installation of his system.
“The tape is what it is,” Sirianni said. “Our guys know. ‘Hey, that tape goes on and you either held your end of the standard up or you didn’t,’ and it’s praise when they do and it’s correction when they don’t.”
Tuesday supplied plenty for Mannion to correct.
It also supplied something the Eagles don’t get much during camp: The Linc.
“I just know we have great fans that love the Eagles,” Sirianni said. “I’m used to it, but I really appreciate it and it just shows you the kind of home-field advantage that we have because of how passionate our fans are.”
Shapiro: Eagles staying in Philly
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was among the fans in attendance.
Shapiro mingled, signed autographs, hung out on the sidelines and reiterated his position on the Eagles’ next stadium once their operational lease at Lincoln Financial Field expires after the 2032 season.
“Here’s what I can tell you for sure: It’s going to be in the city of Philadelphia,” Shapiro told a small contingent of reporters. “And we’ll work with the Eagles once they determine what it is that they’re interested in doing.”
The Eagles continue to explore their options, which could include renovating the Linc or building a new stadium. The team, which hopes to reach a decision sooner rather than later, has floated the notion of a new facility being outside the city or even the state.
“They will come and talk to us once they’re done with their internal process,” said Shapiro, a native of Montgomery County whose family home is in the Rydal section of Abington.
Shapiro spent time chatting with general manager Howie Roseman on the sideline as practice began. He also joked around with Fangio.
Injury report
DNP: T Markel Bell (thumb/leg), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), G Landon Dickerson (rest/not injury related), CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder), TE Eli Stowers (hamstring), S Cole Wisniewski (concussion).
LIMITED: CB Mac McWilliams (shoulder).
FULL: G Willie Lampkin (stinger), DT Byron Young (shoulder), RB Dameon Pierce (hamstring), T John Ojukwu (pectoral), WR Quez Watkins (foot), CB Ambry Thomas (groin), WR Danny Gray (groin).
Notes
• Right tackle Lane Johnson left during the first 11-on-11 period and did not return. He remained on the sideline.
• Defensive tackle Jordan Davis briefly exited after grabbing his left elbow. He returned wearing a brace.
• Andy Dalton got the initial nod with the second-team offense after McKee got the opening QB2 reps at the previous practice.
• Britain Covey, Cooper DeJean and Lemon handled punt returns. Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby were the primary kick returners. It’s doubtful that the Eagles want DeJean returning punts this season, considering his All-Pro value at nickel plus possible contributions at safety.
• The lower ring of the stadium was mostly full, with a healthy smattering of fans on the second level and a few strays in the upper deck.
• The Eagles will be back at the Linc on Friday to face Cincinnati in their final preseason game (8 p.m., CBS 3, 94.1 WIP-FM).
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.