Eagles-Browns practice takeaways: Cornerback concerns, inconsistent offense

PHILADELPHIA — When the Philadelphia Eagles’ training camp schedule drops each summer, joint practices are the annual August highlight. Since coach Nick Sirianni keeps most of his starters sidelined for preseason games, these sessions offer the most competitive work against a different team, and they’ve historically helped signal the team’s performance for the season.

The only joint practices this summer are this week’s against the Cleveland Browns. The Eagles open the season on a Thursday night and Sirianni does not like joint practices before the first preseason game, so the Eagles limited their joint practices to one opponent instead of two opponents.

The joint practice gave the proceedings more buzz than a typical training camp session at the NovaCare Complex. Former Eagles standouts filed into their old practice facility, including Malcolm Jenkins, Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox.

The Eagles practiced without wide receivers A.J. Brown (hamstring) and Elijah Cooks (shoulder), offensive linemen Landon Dickerson (knee) and Kenyon Green (shoulder)

Here’s what The Athletic observed, with Brooks Kubena focusing on the defense and Zach Berman focusing on the offense:

Eagles defense vs. Browns offense

Any improvement the Eagles hoped to spur within their cornerback battle by trading for Jakorian Bennett didn’t materialize on Wednesday.

A rotation of Cleveland Browns quarterbacks bested the Eagles’ secondary with regularity during the first of two joint practices. They exploited Bennett the most. It was the former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback’s roughest outing since he began practicing with the Eagles on Saturday.

Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain, an undrafted rookie, got ahead of Bennett on a deep crosser for a touchdown during team drills with the second-team units. Later, Bennett, working with the first-team defense, surrendered a long completion along the left sideline while a step behind Pro Bowler Jerry Jeudy. Bennett then drew a pass interference penalty with the third-team unit for knocking down Kisean Johnson, another undrafted rookie, in the middle of the field.

Wednesday was Bennett’s most significant test yet. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deployed Bennett with the first-team unit for the first time. One bad practice doesn’t supply a definitive verdict, but it’s a concerning development for the Eagles as they search for someone to strengthen their secondary.

Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson, who split first-team reps in Wednesday practice, struggled against the Browns, too. Ringo lost twice in one-on-one drills to Diontae Johnson (a free agent addition), and he later surrendered a deep catch during team drills when Jeudy gained separation along the left sideline on a comeback route. Jeudy got ahead of Jackson during a first-team rep by curling back toward the left side of the end zone, but Joe Flacco’s errant throw missed the mark. Jackson raised both hands to his helmet after the play with dismay.

It’s worth noting that the Browns even bested Quinyon Mitchell, No. 49 on the NFL’s Top 100 players list, at times. Diontae Johnson got ahead of Mitchell on a play-action crosser for a touchdown during a goal-to-go sequence with the first-team units. It’s not favorable for the Eagles that the Browns and their four-man quarterback competition exploited a secondary that was a strength in 2024. Pair that with Philly’s preseason opener, when Joe Burrow went 9-of-10 passing for 123 yards and two touchdowns in two drives, and there’s a growing sense that there are problems ahead for the Eagles’ passing defense.

Bennett will have the opportunity to bounce back, as he’s only a week into digesting a new playbook. Mitchell called Bennett “a sponge” and said he’s been constantly asking everyone in the secondary questions. The Eagles will monitor Bennett’s progress in Thursday’s practice and during his preseason debut on Saturday, but they must start considering alternatives if his onboarding requires more time, especially if Ringo and Jackson fail to distinguish themselves.

Cooper DeJean is arguably the team’s second-best cornerback. The sensibility of DeJean playing cornerback is well–documented. Fangio clearly values DeJean at nickel and is pleased with DeJean’s play as a base-package safety during training camp. However, Fangio may not have the luxury to keep DeJean in a flexible role from the nickel slot.

A year ago, Fangio said he eventually wanted to see DeJean play snaps at cornerback, the position Philadelphia drafted him at, and DeJean did play corner during OTAs within base packages. Christian Parker, the team’s defensive passing game coordinator, said last week that the Eagles still plan on getting DeJean snaps at outside cornerback. That move may soon be necessary.

“I’m prepared. I’m sure they’ll let me know and make sure that I’m ready if that happens,” DeJean said.

He hasn’t played any outside cornerback during training camp, but said his individual drills and team reps at nickel involve “the same man-to-man progressions as a corner.” Rookie Mac McWilliams would be a potential replacement at nickel. McWilliams, a fifth-round pick, saw first-team reps during team drills on Wednesday.

(My main takeaway: The Eagles need to start thinking about Cooper DeJean at cornerback.)

Quick hits

• Baun is gradually returning: Eagles starting linebacker Zack Baun participated in seven-on-seven drills on Wednesday. He nearly intercepted the first pass from former Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett, but couldn’t secure the catch. It was Baun’s first seven-on-seven action since suffering a back contusion that sidelined him for seven practices. Baun returned to practice on Saturday with limitations. The Eagles officially listed him as limited in Wednesday’s practice report. He did not participate in team drills. “Slow progress,” Baun said. “Get back on the field eventually.”

• Campbell still needs work in coverage: Eagles rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell continued a promising training camp with a strong outing against the Browns, especially while playing against the run. The No. 31 pick sniffed out a running lane while facing Cleveland’s first-team offense and swallowed running back Dylan Sampson before a hole emerged. Campbell later dislodged a pass in the flats by striking Pierre Strong Jr. when the ball arrived.

Campbell still needs to improve in coverage, however. He and second-team cornerback Mac McWilliams seemed to experience a mix-up that left Browns running back Trayveon Williams uncovered for an easy touchdown reception. Nakobe Dean, sidelined with a torn patellar tendon, spoke with Campbell for a few minutes after the play.

• Hunt included in pass-rush package: The Eagles deployed Jalyx Hunt as the third edge rusher in a four-man front that also included Nolan Smith and Azeez Ojulari. Hunt ranged pre-snap before lining up as a stand-up rusher outside Ojulari on the right side.

“I mean, whatever is brought to my table, you know, I’m gonna try to do it at the best of my ability,” Hunt said of the potential role. “I feel comfortable in anything that I’m able to be put in.”

Hunt, a 2024 third-round pick, had a breakout postseason in which he recorded 1.5 sacks and a tackle for loss. Hunt and Smith opened training camp as the first-team edge rushers. Ojulari signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Eagles after recording 22 sacks in four injury-limited seasons with the New York Giants. He sacked Flacco during team drills on Wednesday, the defense’s only sack of the day.

— Brooks Kubena

Eagles offense vs. Browns defense

1. It was an inconsistent day for Jalen Hurts. His efficiency from Tuesday’s session waned against Jim Schwartz’s defense. The Browns intercepted Hurts three times, including once in one-on-one drills. That’s something you do not typically see. Another interception came after Hurts was nearly sacked and threw the ball up for grabs, so that’s more of a practice interception than a concern.

He was effective in situational work, especially red zone and goal line, finding DeVonta Smith and A.J. Dillon for touchdowns. Hurts was also under duress on a few occasions, so he had to use his legs and extend plays. The Eagles relied on quick-hitting plays and put players in motion against Cleveland’s strong defensive front.

“You learn a lot about where you are and learn about where you have an opportunity to go,” Hurts said. “I thought today was very competitive. … We got a lot of guys not practicing as well, so being able to put a lot of guys in different situations and build and learn.”

2. Brett Toth remained the first-team left guard in place of Landon Dickerson, who underwent a procedure to repair his meniscus on Wednesday. This was an up-and-down session for Toth, which he admitted. There appeared to be a missed blitz in his gap, and the Browns were able to get interior pressure and push him back in the pocket. Toth looked better on running plays, but there’s still concern about how the Eagles would perform without Dickerson.

“As for me today, I did not perform as well,” Toth said. “I’ve got to be better. It was a good day for the Browns. … I got beat too much. Dumb mistake. There’s a lot of plays in football. Huge quote from Brandon Brooks that really puts it in perspective: ‘They get paid, too.’ These are generational athletes you go against on a daily basis … But it’s the mistakes that you do to yourself to get them an easy win, you can’t have that. This game is too hard to have any sort of mistakes, whether it’s technique-based, mental-based.”

The Eagles are not rotating at guard and are trusting Toth while they wait for Dickerson. The hope remains that Dickerson returns by the season opener, and Toth made sure to recognize Dickerson on Wednesday.

“I mean, as a bunch of brothers in that room, obviously we’re there for him as much as possible, not just physically — mentally, emotionally,” Toth said. “(Because) it’s a strain, man. You work so hard to get where you’re at, and injury sets you back, and now you’re on an uphill battle. It’s the adversity that you don’t see coming that can be the hardest, especially mentally. But if anyone can do it, it’s definitely Landon.

“As for us as a group, again, me stepping up. Reality of it, I’ve been in this for seven years, always been the backup, always been the swing, bubble guy. Nothing’s guaranteed that it’s even mine. We have a lot of guys that can step up. We have a lot of depth as well. We’re just excited to perform to the best that we can as a unit and it’s an opportunity for us, but again, we love Landon.”

3. One player who stood out? Johnny Wilson. He used his 6-foot-6 frame to high-point a ball in seven-on-seven and make a contested catch. These jump-ball situations are where Wilson is best, and he showed it. His blocking was also on display during a bubble screen to DeVonta Smith.

“Johnny made a big-time catch today, always good to see that — just seeing him show up,” Hurts said. “… For Johnny, it’s not hard for him to use his body. It’s more so, just finishing and taking advantage of those good-position plays where he’s in position to make a play.”

4. Speaking of Smith, he made catches all over the field. His smooth footwork was on display when he caught a touchdown in the front corner of the end zone in a tight red zone period. Practice is different for Smith without A.J. Brown. There’s more volume in his direction, although there’s more defensive attention toward him, too.

5. Dallas Goedert was a key target for Hurts. Similar to Smith, he was a high-volume receiver. The best play was a downfield pass when Hurts rolled to his right and pinpointed the ball for the top tight end.

6. Training camp observations tend to favor the passing game because there’s no tackling, but I thought the Eagles ran the ball effectively on Wednesday. You could tell by the rushers reaching the second level, whether it was Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley or Dillon. The blocking was better in those situations. The offensive linemen are used to seeing odd-man fronts. Playing against Schwartz’s even front was a new look.

7. Dillon’s physical running was apparent, especially the way he finishes runs. He also caught a touchdown. The Eagles’ top three running backs look entrenched, and Dillon is in line for a role on the team. The Eagles are going to rely on his size, and Lane Johnson suggested that defenses won’t want to see Dillon coming downhill late in games.

8. Myles Garrett is as advertised. He gave the Eagles’ elite tackles more trouble than you typically see. Players on the Eagles, including Campbell and Hunt, made a point to go see Garrett after practice. There’s a reason there was trade speculation during the spring (and why he signed a $40 million per year contract). Garrett is that good.

“Any time you can go against one of the best guys, maybe ever, on the edge, you definitely have your work cut out,” Johnson said. “… You got to get off the ball or else it’s going to be a long day for you.”

9. By design, the Eagles rotated on the first-team offensive line late in practice. Matt Pryor took work at right tackle in Johnson’s place, a planned rotation for the Eagles to figure out who might be the swing tackle this season.

10. On special teams, Avery Williams was the first one up at punt returner. There was also a scuffle on special teams late in practice. Andre’ Sam appeared to be involved, although the fight quickly dissipated.

— Zach Berman

(Top photo of Quinyon Mitchell: Bill Streicher / Imagn Images)