Three practices into Eagles training camp, one thing is already clear: this offense is still finding its footing, and the defense is making sure nobody forgets it.
Saturday’s session was another reminder that Philadelphia is in the early stages of installing a new Sean Mannion offense, and early camp is usually where the defense has the upper hand anyway. The Eagles are still getting the reps, still learning the details, and still working through an acclimation period before the pads come on next week. That part is expected.
What stood out on Saturday was how much harder that process became without Lane Johnson on the field. Johnson was out for a non-injury related reason, and the offensive line felt the difference immediately. Fred Johnson worked as the first-team right tackle, but the whole group had trouble handling a defensive front that was living in the backfield.
Jalen Hurts would have been “sacked” multiple times in team periods. He was pressured into rushed throws, and that led to batted passes and clean reads for the defense. Against a front featuring Jalyx Hunt and Jalen Carter, protection was a problem from the jump.
That’s the reality when Lane Johnson is absent. He’s an All-Pro for a reason and a future Hall of Famer when healthy, and the dropoff behind him is obvious, even if Fred Johnson or Markel Bell can survive in the spot.
If Johnson misses another practice, it might be worth seeing Bell at right tackle to get a better sense of whether the line can function more smoothly. The Eagles are working through a new coach and a new system, too, so every rep matters.
Hurts is also adjusting to how this offense is being shaped around him. He’s not new to playaction, but the shotgun looks are becoming less frequent, and that shift is part of why he hasn’t looked as sharp through the first three practices. Saturday was another tough day to operate, especially with Hunt and Carter collapsing things up front.
The Eagles struggled to score in the red zone, and Hurts’ only touchdown came on a run. That’s where playaction could become a major tool for this offense. If Hurts can keep defenses honest as a passer off playaction, his value as a runner becomes even more dangerous.
The numbers back that up. In Hurts’ five full seasons as a starter from 2021 to 2025, he has completed 65.7% of his passes in playaction, with 36 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, a 100.5 passer rating, and 8.1 yards per attempt. Over the last two seasons, he has gone 141-of-208 in playaction for 13 touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 107.3 passer rating.
So yes, playaction is going to be a bigger part of the offense this year. The more reps Hurts gets with it during camp, the better.
But the bigger story right now is still the defense. Even without Jonathan Greenard, who is on PUP, and Jihaad Campbell, who rested, the unit controlled the day. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was constantly around the ball, which lines up with what he showed in minicamp and with the plan to split reps with Campbell this summer.
Then there was Carter, who looked every bit like the difference-maker he is. He blew past Tyler Steen for a sack, got a batted pass, and kept putting Hurts under pressure. When Carter is healthy, this is what he does.
The secondary made life even tougher. With Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Tariq Woolen out there, receivers are not getting much breathing room. That turned the day into more of a test of Hurts’ progression reads and the offense’s ability to move the ball in the red zone than anything else.
Through three practices, the Eagles defense looks elite. It has the feel of a unit that can be the best in the NFL, and it’s showing that kind of dominance already.
The question now is how the offense answers as camp moves forward. That’s the part worth watching.
In Other News...
Lane Johnsons Camp Absence Raises A Real Eagles Concern
Lane Johnson was among four players excused from practice on the fourth day of Eagles training camp, a pause that stood out because of how important he remains to Philadelphias offensive line. The team is already juggling injuries to Cameron Williams and Cole Wisniewski, so any absence from a veteran of Johnsons stature naturally gets attention, even in the early days of camp.
The concern is less about one missed practice than what it could mean for how the Eagles plan to handle him going forward. Johnsons health has been a major talking point since last season, and with camp still in its early phase, Philadelphia has plenty of reason to be careful about how much it asks of one of its most vital players. [Read more 🡒]
Landon Dickersons New Approach Could Change Everything For Eagles Up Front
Landon Dickerson spent part of the offseason looking back at a decision that weighed on his play last year, when he pushed through a knee injury after meniscus surgery instead of waiting until he was fully healed. For a lineman whose job depends on power, balance and staying anchored snap after snap, that kind of compromise can matter in a hurry. Dickerson said the experience changed how he views recovery, and it sounds like the Eagles are getting a more cautious version of one of the most important pieces up front.
He also brushed aside a few of the more dramatic whispers that followed him around, including the idea that he had seriously considered stepping away from football. Instead, his focus has been on getting right and staying right, including stem cell therapy this offseason as part of the healing process. For Philadelphia, the bigger takeaway is simple enough: if Dickerson is able to return closer to himself, it could make a real difference for an offensive line that depends on his stability. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Face An O-Line Depth Concern They Didn't Expect
The Eagles were already working through the usual churn of training camp when rookie offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts went down during the final play of a developmental session. Medical staff rushed in right away, and the undrafted free agent signing was carted off the field, an unwelcome sight for a position group that can never really have too many workable bodies in August.
Roberts had been part of the depth picture after joining Philadelphia following the 2026 NFL Draft, with his role always centered more on development and backup insurance than immediate headlines. Now the concern is less about where he fit on the depth chart and more about how the Eagles patch together the line if the injury proves to be the kind that lingers, because camp injuries at this spot tend to ripple quickly through the rest of the roster. [Read more 🡒]