Eagles Camp Day 5: Nakobe Dean, James Bradberry Injuries, Rookies Ramp Up
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles have been relatively healthy this summer and that continues after a couple of scares. Starting Mike linebacker Nakobe Dean was forced to the injury tent during individual drills and ultimately sat out team work but a team source told SI.com's Eagles Today "He's fine."
When Dean emerged from the tent he stayed on the field to watch the rest of the 85-minute "yellow" session with his teammates but the trainers kept his helmet.
Later in the practice, second-team All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry walked slowly to the injury tent as well and was replaced by Josh Jobe on the first team. Bradberry also was able to return to watch the end of the practice and seemed fine as he chatted with his teammates.
Undrafted rookie corner Eli Ricks also came up with what might have been a cramp but was able to fight through it.
The injury report remained the same entering practice with receiver Deon Cain missing his second consecutive session with an ankle injury and edge rusher Haason Reddick (groin), slot corner Avonte Maddon (toe), and defensive end Derek Barnett (knee) all listed as limited.
Barnett worked in the developmental period in 7-on-7s as a 260-pound linebacker in coverage which was interesting.
-With Dean out, Christian Elliss and Nick Morrow got the first-team reps at linebacker while the safeties defaulted back to Reed Blankenship and Terrell Edmunds.
-The Eagles worked on kickoff returns and the main group was Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny, and Kenny Gainwell with Britain Covey and A.J. Brown eventually joining in. The latter is probably just having a little fun.
-Third-year defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu got a few first-team reps in 50 fronts playing a 4I technique.
-The backup offensive line shuffle continues as Jack Driscoll was back at right tackle after a couple of practices at left tackle, Tyler Steen got his first reps at his college position of left tackle on the second team and veteran Dennis Kelly got a look inside at left guard.
-Jalen Hurts wasn't quite as spectacular on Thursday but started things on a high note with a dart down the seam for Dallas Goedert in 7-on-7 work. The Eagles' star quarterback was nearly picked for the first time this summer when rookie corner Kelee Ringo showed off his 4.39 closing speed with a pass breakup on a late throw to DeVonta Smith.
-Coach Nick Sirianni was on Grant Calcaterra a bit early in the practice and the second-year tight end responded from there, most notably on a quick-hitter from Marcus Mariota from an RPO look. As for some of the other potential backups at the position, Tyree Jackson continues to flash as a receiver and Dan Arnold seems to have recessed in the past few practices.
-The second group of receivers was Olamide Zaccheaus, Greg Ward, and undrafted rookie Joseph Ngata. Covey presumably has a role due to his return ability but he also continues to generate consistent separation from the slot, victimizing Mario Goodrich today.
The Eagles also gave a quick look to covering a squib kick and Covey was the guy taking charge.
-Rookie Tanner McKee continues to pace Ian Book for the QB3 role but the Stanford product does need to work on more consistent footwork because he looks like an upper-body thrower right now.
-During pass-rushing one-on-ones on a side field, rookie Nolan Smith and third-year defensive tackle Milton Williams had really impressive reps.
-In the running back competition, Kenny Gainwell drew praise from Jeff Stoutland for hitting the hole hard and D'Andre Swift was impressive as a receiver again, hauling in a 20-yard reception from Hurts on a wheel route.
-A.J. Brown is evidently human because he dropped a pass today.
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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen
