Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/napmnex2
Originally published Aug. 7, 2026
PHILADELPHIA — The heat index was already 97 degrees by 10 a.m. Friday as the Eagles began practice at Jefferson Health Training Complex. The oppressive conditions were expected to persist through the next four days.
A refreshing sight: Lane Johnson returned to camp after missing the previous four sessions for personal, non-injury reasons.
The 36-year-old right tackle is a two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl selection and longtime team leader — a Philly icon and future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said he’s confident Johnson can catch up after his time away, even though the Eagles are installing an entirely new offense with a new O-line blocking scheme.
“Lane can pick things up very fast,” Sirianni said at his morning press conference. “He’s a phenomenal football player. Not concerned there. You get to see a little portion each day, but there’s 12 more hours of the day with walkthroughs and meetings, so there’s so much more going on than what you see out here.”
Johnson’s absences were excused. Sirianni glossed over a question about whether he could miss more days. This isn’t the first time Johnson has been away from the team for non-injury reasons. In years past, he has dealt with mental health issues. There has been no indication that that’s the case here.
Johnson didn’t meet with the media Friday, but his teammates were glad to have him back, including defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
“He has a calming presence,” Davis said. “When I see him, I’m like, ‘All right, this is Lane.’ And one day I’m not going to be able to say that I have him in the locker room. It’s just very good to have him out here. And everybody knows he’s a baller, man. He’s a f— baller.
“Lane, man, he’s a cornerstone, bro.”
The versatile and experienced Fred Johnson, 29, has often filled in for Lane Johnson in games and practices. He’s shown flashes of starting-caliber ability and left for a starting job in Jacksonville in March 2025, only to boomerang back to Philadelphia in a trade five months later.
For much of this week, rookie tackle Markel Bell — the Eagles’ third-round pick out of Miami — got reps over Fred Johnson. At 6-foot-9, 345 pounds, Bell is remarkably athletic, and the Eagles see lots of potential in him.
“I think what you see with Markel is just his length and how big he is and how hard he is to get around in the pass rush,” Sirianni said. “Just working on getting on the same page with the combination blocks. There’s so many things that go on there with the offensive line of having to work in tandem.
“I’ve seen progression there, and that’s what you want with all your players.”
Injury report
OUT: WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring), WR Makai Lemon (hamstring), WR Britain Covey (hamstring), LB Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle), S Cole Wisniewski (hamstring). LIMITED: ILB Chance Campbell (groin), G Micah Morris (shoulder), RT Lane Johnson (progressing workload).
Center Cam Jurgens, accompanied by trainers, went to the medical tent during drills and then went inside the team facility. He was walking under his own power.
Camp notes
● Second-year wide receiver Darius Cooper continues to stand out early in camp. He’s compact and physical at 5-11, 210 pounds, with good hands and a willingness to block. The Eagles signed him last year after he went undrafted out of Tarleton State. He also brings value on special teams, which threatens the injured Britain Covey.
● Quarterback Jalen Hurts is loving wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, whom the Birds acquired from Green Bay in the offseason. They seem simpatico, with a similar killer instinct. Wicks is part of a crowded WR room that includes DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Hollywood Brown, Johnny Wilson and Quez Watkins.
● Players sang “Happy Birthday” to Hurts after Friday’s practice. The quarterback was celebrating his 28th birthday.
● Former Red Sox and Cubs general manager Theo Epstein, who helped break the title-drought “curses” of both franchises, visited training camp Friday and chatted with GM Howie Roseman.
● New Sixers acquisition Jaylen Brown was at Eagles camp Friday, a day after his introductory press conference and appearance at the Phillies game.
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.