The Eagles’ training camp has already given us a few clear signals, and the biggest one might be this: don’t panic over Makai Lemon just yet. The rookie first-round pick has been fighting hamstring issues since arriving in the spring, and he’s now missed four straight practices.
That’s frustrating, no question. But there’s at least one recent example of a similar start not turning into a long-term setback.
Cooper DeJean went through a hamstring battle of his own as a rookie and missed most of camp. Once the season opened, he was eased in with special teams snaps, and it still took until the fifth game of his career before he got real defensive run.
Even then, he had played only eight defensive snaps across the first four games. After that, he took off and quickly established himself as one of the better DBs in the game.
That’s the path Lemon’s camp is hoping to point toward.
Another rookie drawing attention is quarterback Cole Payton, who may be carving out a spot on the roster. He’s also the player most worth watching against the Ravens on Saturday night.
“I’m very, very happy with where Cole’s at in his development,” said OC Sean Mannion. “There's kind of some growing pains to any young quarterback.
This is his first exposure to NFL football and NFL defenses. With that, you take some bumps and bruises along the way, but he's made tremendous improvement in terms of timing, rhythm, accuracy.
He's really, really sharp, which doesn't always maybe show to you guys on the practice field, but he's super engaged at practice, understands the play calls, understands the footwork.”
One of the camp’s biggest surprises has been Michael Carter, who has handled the move to safety with apparent ease. His adjustment has made the safety group look stronger than expected entering camp.
There’s also the annual question of whether Howie Roseman will make another August trade. He has done it in five straight summers, and the list of arrivals in previous Augusts includes Gardner Minshew in 2021, C.J.
Gardner-Johnson in 2022, Albert Okwuegbunam and Jahan Dotson in 2024, and last year Jakorian Bennett, Sam Howell, and John Metchie. Right now, though, it’s hard to point to a glaring need on the roster.
A couple preseason games could change that.
If the Eagles do make a move, Tanner McKee could be one name to watch if the team decides not to keep four quarterbacks. Some people have also floated Nolan Smith as a possible trade chip, but that feels unlikely.
He’s a bargain for the next two seasons and, when healthy, too valuable to move this early. That could change if A.J.
Epenesa and Arnold Ebeketie keep stacking strong camps.
The running back room is another area where decisions are coming. Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby look locked in, while Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, and Carson Steele have all had solid camps.
The Eagles could carry four backs, but that seems improbable. Shipley is the only one the team drafted, which may give him an edge.
He also sounded confident about where he stands when asked how his role has changed in the new offense.
“The role’s continuing to develop, just a week and a half into camp,” he said. “As the season continues to go, I think my role will continue to evolve and change.”
Up front, Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter have been exactly what you’d expect - and maybe more. They’ve been overwhelming blockers all camp, and if they stay healthy, they’re going to be a major problem for opposing offenses this season.
And then there’s Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., who keeps showing real growth in his third season. He’s thinking less, diagnosing faster and moving sideline to sideline with more confidence.
On a lot of teams, that kind of player could start. For the Eagles, he looks like a strong third linebacker behind Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell.
In Other News...
Eagles Are Looking For Depth As A Familiar Name Resurfaces
The Eagles brought in three free agents for a look at their training complex, continuing to sort through the edges of the roster as camp and injury management start to matter more. David Blay, an undrafted rookie free agent who was waived by the New England Patriots, is being considered for defensive tackle depth, while Ja'Quinden Jackson, most recently with the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad, was evaluated as a possible backfield option.
Tarron Jackson was also among the visitors, a familiar name to Philadelphia after previous stints with the team and elsewhere in the league. His recent season-ending neck injury adds another layer to his comeback path, and the Eagles are at least keeping tabs on a player they already know well as they continue to monitor spots where added depth could become necessary. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Jurgens' Camp Exit Raised An Eagles Concern Up Front
Cam Jurgens has quickly become one of the more important pieces on the Eagles offensive line, which is why even a brief interruption in camp drew attention. After signing a four-year, $68 million extension in 2025 and earning his second straight Pro Bowl nod despite playing only 14 games last season, he arrived at training camp with the kind of expectations that come with anchoring the middle of the line for a team trying to sharpen its offense.
A short setback in the heat was enough to make the situation worth watching, especially for a group that needs stability up front as much as any part of the roster. The encouraging part for Philadelphia is that Jurgens was back in full by Monday and ready to practice again, easing at least one early concern for a unit the Eagles are counting on to hold everything together. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Face A First Round WR2 Question
Makai Lemon arrived with the kind of first-round expectation that usually comes with a clear path into the lineup, but his summer has not gone according to plan. The Eagles rookie receiver has been slowed by a hamstring injury, and the missed work has come at a bad time for a player trying to get comfortable in the offense and carve out a role right away.
The uncertainty has opened a real competition behind the top options, with Dontayvion Wicks among the names in the mix for the WR2 spot. Lemon still has time to show he can get healthy and catch up before preseason action begins, but for now there is at least some doubt about whether he is ready to take on a starting role early in the season. [Read more 🡒]