(Photo by Yong Kim-Pool/Getty Images)
Football is back! After what has felt like forever, NFL players are finally back in pads and practicing together. As expected, there have been ups and downs for the Eagles.
Unfortunately, there have already been a slew of injuries for the Eagles, in just a few days of practice. DT Javon Hargrave, the key signing of this offseason for the Eagles, came down with a pectoral strain, and is expected to miss “multiple weeks”, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. DE Derek Barnett, is “week to week” with a lower-body injury. Luckily, the Eagles expect both Barnett and Hargrave to be available for the opener.
An injury on the other side of the ball to report, RB Miles Sanders is listed “week-to-week”, with a lower-body injury. Sanders, who set a rookie franchise record last season with 1,327 yards from scrimmage, is expected to be ready for opening day.
TE Dallas Goedert is dealing with a hairline fracture in his thumb, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
One positive so far has been rookie QB Jalen Hurts. Former Eagles college scout and current NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he has heard the team is “blown away” , by the rookie so far.
“I am excited to see what they do with Jalen Hurts. All reports I have got out of Eagles
camp are that they have been blown away with not only, everyone knows how athletic he
is, but just how smart he is and how much of a professional he is. He just carries himself l l
like a veteran. Everybody on the team has fallen in love with him,” Jeremiah said. “How are they going to use him? I know Taysom Hill is kind of the template some have used for him, but I don’t think he’ll get that much volume (of touches) that Taysom Hill got. But I think they’ll find spots.”
It seems there is great competition for the backup QB spot between Hurts and Nate Sudfeld. Sudfeld has performed well so far, finishing up practice on Friday with these stats for the day:
Carson Wentz has looked good so far as well. Showing up with a more muscular build, weighing 250 lb. He connected with WR Desean Jackson for a TD in an 11 on 11 drill, rolling out of the pocket to his right.
Overall, there were positives and negatives from the first week of practice. More importantly, the Birds are back on the field for 2020.