PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles’ only public practice of the summer ended with the defense stealing the spotlight, and cornerback Riq Woolen was right in the middle of it.
In an 11-period competitive workout, the defense was credited with a 58-36 win after Woolen jumped a Jalen Hurts throw intended for DeVonta Smith and took it the other way for a pick-six during an end-of-game situational period. Woolen raced into the end zone and sent the ball into a crowd that was more than 45,000 deep. He also added another interception earlier in practice, this time using his speed to cover rookie receiver Makai Lemon on a crossing route.
The offense had its moments, too. Saquon Barkley found space on an inside release that caught All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun off guard in the end zone, then finished the play with a strong catch as he went to the ground for a touchdown. Barkley was also active as a receiver throughout the night.
Lemon, meanwhile, had trouble separating for most of the practice, especially when matched up with All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Sean Mannion did scheme the first-round pick open for a touchdown later on, though it appeared to come on a busted coverage by the defense.
Hurts and Smith opened the night with sharp timing on an out route during the first possession, giving the offense an early rhythm. Later, Hurts had a chance at a deep touchdown on a post route to Smith, but the throw was undercooked and Mitchell got back into the play to break it up. On a key fourth-down snap, Hurts rolled right and found Smith, but Smith dropped it and the offense turned the ball over on downs.
The Eagles also worked through a special teams break between competitive periods, with Braden Mann trying to pin the return game deep. Britain Covey, Cooper DeJean, Lemon and Elijah Moore handled return duties.
There were several absences on the day. OT Markel Bell (thumb/leg), CB Jakorian Bennett (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (back), Dickerson (test), CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder), TE Eli Stowers (hamstring), and S Cole Wisniewski (concussion) were all ruled out. CB Mac McWilliams was limited because of a shoulder issue.
The starting offensive line for team drills, with Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson out, was John Ojukwu, Drew Kendall, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson from left to right. The second unit lined up with Myles Hinton, Micah Morris, Jake Majors, Willie Lampkin and Cam Williams.
At quarterback, Andy Dalton got the first reps with the twos, with Tanner McKee mixing in later and Cole Payton getting a few chances as well.
The offense found success in the run game during a backed-up period, leaning on inside zone with Barkley and Tank Bigsby. It also got work done in the red zone, where Will Shipley added a rushing touchdown to go with Barkley’s earlier scoring grab.
Other notable moments included Darius Cooper dropping a slant from Hurts, while Moore continued to help his case with several solid catches as he pushes for a spot on the initial 53. On a two-point try, Hollywood Brown dropped a McKee pass at the back of the end zone with Kelee Ringo in coverage. Brown did later beat Woolen on a late crossing pattern for a touchdown that could have been called a sack.
A.J. Epenesa logged a sack on Dalton when the veteran quarterback rolled right during a two-minute drill. And in the first two-minute period, Hurts converted a 4th-and-2 after a timeout by drawing Moro Ojomo offsides.
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