Eagles Camp Day 9: Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown Headline Amid Sloppiness

The Philadelphia Eagles' dynamic passing game duo of Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown combined for the two most noteworthy plays in a session that was moved to Lincoln Financial Field.

PHILADELPHIA - With the preseason opener in Baltimore looming on Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles shifted their Wednesday training camp practice from the NovaCare Complex to Lincoln Financial Field.

No matter the stage, the Eagles' star quarterback Jalen Hurts and All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown continued to sharpen their connection with the two signature plays of the hour and 45-minute session.

Hurts punctuated the practice on the final play for the first team when he dropped the football in Brown's bucket for a 45- or 50-yard gain with rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo in tight coverage.   

Hurts even hit "The Griddy" coming off the field as the offense celebrated.

The other rep was an important one in a competitive session with the offense backed up inside the 10-yard line and facing a third-and-6 situation. 

Director of player development Connor Barwin was on the bullhorn reminding the two units that this was a six-point play and the offense converted on a  WR screen with Hurts getting the ball out quickly to Brown, who did the rest again against Ringo with the help of some nice blocks.

One of the blocks was by Landon Dickerson on Derek Barnett and it was a borderline effort against a player trying to return from an ACL tear. Barnett took exception and went after Dickerson with the defensive sideline erupting with a "come on Landon," exclamation.

Barnett, though, drew the flag on the play, further cementing his reputation as undisciplined among some Eagles' observers.

Overall, Hurts wasn't as sharp as he typically is for a second straight session.

Here's what else we saw from the practice:

-First the bookkeeping: Nakobe Dean (ankle) returned to practice in a limited fashion by working in individual drills. The second-year linebacker has missed four straight practices when it comes to team work, however, but obviously is getting closer to being a full participant. Receiver Devon Allen (calf) also remained limited in his second practice back after being activated off the non-football injury list.

Nakobe Dean has his helmet. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/BHjuM5B3Fo

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 9, 2023

-Edge rusher Patrick Johnson (ankle) and receiver Deon Cain (ankle) remained out and receiver DeVonta Smith was excused for personal reasons.

 -The Eagles have been very sloppy this summer and the pre-snap penalties continue to pile up on a daily basis. Meanwhile, GM Howie Roseman had to alert defensive coordinator Sean Desai that one period was supposed to be ones vs. twos to get the right personnel on the field, and undrafted rookie receiver Joseph Ngata had to be told where to line up consecutive plays in hurry-up work. That kind of stuff needs to be cleaned up quickly. 

-It's only Aug. 9 and there's still time for others but today, Kenny Gainwell is the Eagles' lead back with D'Andre Swift mixing in as the third-down back. Despite his size (5-8 and 200 pounds) Gainwell is very effective between the tackles in red zone and backup-up work and seems to have gained the trust of the coaching staff.   

Howie Roseman playing catch with Kenny Gainwell. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/ifXUa2cbLu

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 9, 2023

-Marcus Mariota had a second consecutive sharp day as the backup with a brilliant throw to Britain Covey on a slot fade with Zech McPhearson in tight coverage. Mariota also fooled the defense with an RPO-keeper for an easy touchdown. The uptick in play for Mariota can be traced to veteran Josh Andrews arriving as the backup center and the veteran quarterback not having to play goalkeeper for shotgun snaps.

-The Eagles' defense continues to struggle mightily with quarterback runs. The good news there is that a real threat at the position as a runner isn't on the schedule until Nov. 26 with the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen.

-Desai keeps throwing out unique looks. Today it was Barnett inside in a 40 front next to Jordan Davis with Fletcher Cox bounced out to left end and Haason Reddick coming from the right and recording a sack. Josh Sweat has also been dropping in coverage a bit in five-man fronts.

-Arryn Siposs did well in situational work, placing a punt that died inside the five-yard line and igniting cheers from his teammates.

-Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham were used in the same roles as Day 1 with the organization with Jack getting some first-team work opposite Nicholas Morrow but also getting third-team looks with Ben VanSumeren. Cunningham was on the second team next to Shaun Bradley and showed off his impressive length with a pass breakup against Grant Calcaterra. 

New #Eagles linebackers Zach Cunningham and Myles Jack pic.twitter.com/WkE3J5q0rX

— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 9, 2023

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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