Eagles' Jordan Davis Set for Big Leap? Teammates 'Excited'

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis is entering his second season and appears to be in better condition as he gets reps with the first team.

PHILADELPHIA – Jordan Davis has yet to talk to reporters during training camp.

Perhaps Sunday will be that day, when the Philadelphia Eagles return from their Saturday day off for another 10 a.m. practice.

There has been plenty of talk from Davis’ teammates and coaches, however, about Davis himself since camp began on Wednesday.

“You see him,” defensive coordinator Sean Desai said. “Go find another human being that looks like him. …There are not many people built like that. He's strong. He's fast. He's quick. He's powerful.

“It's about putting it all together and then us helping him put it all together and getting the right combination of guys in there and being impactful.”

Mostly, what has been talked about has been Davis’ conditioning.

Listed as 6-6, 336 pounds, his battles to get fit and stay fit go back to his days at the University of Georgia.

Davis' former teammate at Georgia, Jalen Carter, was asked Friday about any difference he sees in Davis from their time together two years ago.

“He’s looking better and better,” Carter said. “He’s getting better every day. (He’s) slimming up and his hair’s growing.”

Slimming up would mean better condition.

Fletcher Cox watched Davis participate in his conditioning test when the team reported on Tuesday and liked what he saw.

“It’s way better than it was this year versus last year,” said the Eagles’ veteran defensive tackle. “He’s come back and knows what to expect. …He did a great job. I don’t think he was gassed one bit."

Cox then talked about how Davis “flew around in individuals (on Wednesday)."

“I’m looking forward to seeing him just continue to grow with his conditioning," he added. "He came back, his weight was great, so I’m excited about him.”

There was a moment during Friday’s practice, however, when Davis, after taking all the reps during one portion of team drills, walked to the sideline with his hands on top of his helmet. Once he got to the sideline, he lowered to his haunches. 

Cornerback James Bradberry came over and took him by the elbow as if to try to help him up. Davis remained there for another second or two before rising. Granted, temperatures were in the 90s.  

Either way, it would seem to indicate Davis is still a work in progress. He also has Carter pushing him for playing time, an interesting dynamic to say the least.

More will be expected from him in his second season after arriving as the 13th overall pick in 2022. Good health should help after missing four games with an ankle injury.

The injury occurred just as it appeared that then-defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was ready to up Davis’ reps.

“I was here a little time in the offseason and you could see the growth, the jump, from the first year to the second year,” Cox said. “It’s really good to see. He’s healthy. I think last year he was ramping up then got hurt.

“As a rookie, I think that kind of affected him. He was out for a fair amount of time then got back into the grove of things. Now he’s healthy, he’s flying around and you can feel his presence.”

Added fellow defensive line veteran Brandon Graham: “You can tell that he's comfortable because of his guys (from Georgia) being here with him. 

"Going into year two, got some (other) guys he's familiar with, too. That always helps and they all motivate each other. So, Jordan Davis, I'm excited for it because I really do think he's gonna have a great jump from year one to year two."

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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