The Philadelphia Eagles held their seventh open practice of training camp, with Saquon Barkley receiving a heavy workload and standing out as one of the most spirited players on the field. The rookie running back had around 10 carries and was targeted three times in the passing game, showcasing his involvement and enthusiasm.
However, edge rusher concerns remain a major issue for the team. With Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt forming an inexperienced starting pair at cornerback and safety, their lack of experience behind them raises doubts about their ability to recapture past success. Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche have had mixed performances in camp, with some promising moments but also quiet stretches.
In contrast, defensive tackle Jalen Carter has been a bright spot, using his speed and ferocity to shut down opponents like Saquon Barkley. Jordan Davis continues to collapse the pocket, forcing hurries on quarterback Jalen Hurts, while rookie Ty Robinson has kept his one-on-one win streak intact with devastating moves.
Rookie linebacker Smael Mondon also caught some attention, picking up a sack on Will Shipley in team drills and showing promise alongside Campbell. Meanwhile, Quinyon Mitchell mostly shadowed A.J. Brown but had some success when given opportunities.
The team’s struggles with snaps were also evident, particularly for Trevor Keegan, who was yanked from the lineup due to inconsistent play. However, Montrell Johnson’s injury midway through practice gave other players like ShunDerrick Powell and Keilan Robinson extra reps.
Overall, Barkley proved himself as a force on the field, while edge rusher concerns persist. The team will need to address these issues if they hope to make a deep playoff run.
Source: https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-training-camp-observations-saquon-barkley-jalen-carter-azeez-ojulari-20250801.html