The Eagles’ preseason loss to the Ravens came with a full set of snap counts, and the most notable takeaway might be the one that stood out before the game even started: almost all of Philadelphia’s starters stayed parked on the sideline. That left plenty of room for younger players, roster hopefuls, and a few position experiments to take center stage.
Jihaad Campbell was the only projected 2026 full-time starter - non-specialists, obviously - to actually play. That alone made him a little unusual in this one. Meanwhile, Marcus Epps being rested looks like a very good sign for his chances in the so-called safety battle.
On offense, the Eagles gave rookie Micah Morris a long look at left guard, while Jake Majors handled every one of his 34 snaps at center. Willie Lampkin opened the game with four snaps at center before moving to right guard, and John Ojukwu continued to get work in a new spot, taking 10 snaps at left guard after previously splitting his time at both tackle positions. That kind of usage suggests he’s hanging around the roster bubble.
Markel Bell opened at right tackle, while Myles Hinton stayed strictly at left tackle despite spending time at guard earlier in camp. Drew Kendall and Fred Johnson also started, but neither stayed in long, which could point to them being the sixth and seventh offensive linemen behind the starters.
The Eagles also kept their skill guys involved. Darius Cooper played a lot more than some might have expected, and he finished as the team’s leading receiver with just 21 yards.
He would’ve added more if he hadn’t dropped what would have been a first-down conversion. Elijah Moore and Hollywood Brown each had one touch in limited action.
At tight end, Eli Stowers started and played the most among the group. He caught three passes for 12 yards and also logged plenty of special teams work.
Pro Football Focus ranked him 29th out of 29 Eagles players on offense. Tanner McKee came in after Andy Dalton started, and Cole Payton finished things off in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Mac McWilliams had a rough night. PFF charged him with four targets, four completions, 37 yards, a 105.2 passer rating allowed, and two penalties.
Smael Mondon Jr. made his presence felt as a blitzer, tying for the team lead with three pressures. Ty Robinson also flashed with three pressures, including a sack, and he may be doing enough to help his case for a roster spot.
The Eagles also took a close look at undrafted rookie linebacker Deontae Lawson on defense and special teams, though the depth at his position makes his path uncertain. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. looked solid in his snaps, and there didn’t seem to be much reason to keep forcing preseason reps for him.
Kapena Gushiken, or “Gush” as Vic Fangio called him, worked in multiple spots. PFF listed him for 14 snaps in the box, nine at slot corner, and 10 at safety.
Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard both got meaningful playing time in what was the first football game of their lives. Michael Carter II started at safety and appears to still be adjusting to the role.
Brandon George played 14 defensive snaps after joining the team just the day before, and PFF gave him a strong special teams grade, which fits the kind of job he’s expected to do. Jakorian Bennett left early with an injury and did not return.
On special teams, Stone Smartt and Hollin Pierce were limited to that phase alone. Pierce barely saw the field at all.
As for the injury report, the Eagles had DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Cole Wisniewski, Quinyon Mitchell, Jonathan Jones, Cooper DeJean, Dameon Pierce, Tarqi Castro-Fields, Keyshawn James-Newby, Jonathan Greenard, Chance Campbell, and Johnny Wilson listed before Saturday’s game. Most of those players would not have been expected to play anyway, but Wilson’s absence stood out since he had recently returned to practice. That may have been the Eagles playing it extra safe to avoid a setback.
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Eagles Camp Picture Is Getting Clearer At Wide Receiver
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Smith was back in a helmet and getting in some position work after the hamstring issue that had slowed him, a small but encouraging step for a passing game that still needs its top targets available and sharp. Lemon, meanwhile, stayed out of the full session but kept moving on the side field, running routes and going through the catch circuit as the Eagles continue to monitor a camp picture at wide receiver that is becoming clearer even if it is not settled yet. [Read more 🡒]