Training Camp is officially here! The Philadelphia Eagles kickstarted their summer workouts Tuesday with the first practice taking place Wednesday morning. In case you need a refresher on the format for this year's camp, here's a handy guide with all you need to know.
Confirmed Practice dates (could change)
July 27, 29, 30, and Aug. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10
Special practice dates
Aug. 7: Public practice at Lincoln Financial Field (Tickets available through Ticketmaster)
Aug. 18-19: Joint practices with the Cleveland Browns
Aug. 24-25: Joint practices with the Miami Dolphins
Eagles Preseason schedule
Aug. 12: Week 1 Vs New York JetsAug. 21: Week 2 @ Cleveland BrownsAug. 27: Week 3 @ Miami Dolphins
Roster cutdown deadlines
Aug. 16: 90-man roster must be cut to 85Aug. 23: Roster must be cut to 80Aug. 30: Roster must be cut to 53
Public practices
Unlike years past, there will only be one public practice this year. You can buy tickets to the Aug. 7 event at Lincoln Financial Field over at Ticketmaster for $10, or a VIP pass for $25 that guarantees an on-field experience. All proceeds from the practice will go to the Eagles Autism Foundation.
However, if you really want to get a glimpse of the Birds before preseason, you can get free tickets to see the joint practices against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 24 and 25. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster for free.
The practices between the Eagles and the Cleveland Browns are closed to the public.
Cliff notes
Rookies:
This will be our first real glimpse at the 2022 rookie class, including third-round linebacker, Nakobe Dean. To make things easier, here are the jersey numbers that each rookie will be donning during practices and beyond.
DT Jordan Davis: #90C Cam Jurgens: #51LB Nakobe Dean: #17LB Kyron Johnson: #58TE Grant Calcaterra: #47
Undrafted free agent jersey numbers
CB Josh Blackwell: #39CB Mario Goodrich: #24CB Josh Jobe: #38S Reed Blankenship: #46LB Ali Fayad: #59DT Noah Elliss: #61OL Josh Sills: #61 (offense)OL Jarrid Williams: #66QB Carson Strong: #8RB Kennedy Brooks: #49WR Britain Covey: #41
Philadelphia Eagles' Nakobe Dean looks on during NFL rookie football minicamp, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Philadelphia.AP Photo/Christopher SzagolaStorylines
Can Jalen Hurts step up?
Jalen Hurts must be the only quarterback in the NFL to have been ripped into for having a bad scripted practice in which there was no contact/tackling. If that doesn't highlight the level of pressure on the young man's shoulders, I don't know what will.
Hurts is in a make-or-break year. This Eagles roster has been built around him in such a way that it couldn't physically be better suited to his skillset or persona. He's got best friends, former teammates, and dynamic athletes all across the board.
What matters to me this camp isn't whether or not he throws 60-yard bombs. I want to see Hurts look comfortable in the pocket, show more velocity on shorter throws, and come off his first read without darting for the safety of the sideline.
No matter how you feel about Jalen Hurts, it's going to be an interesting camp.
Defensive overhaul
It's not just the offense that has received an overhaul. Last year, the linebacker spot was an area of weakness. Nakobe Dean, Kyzir White, and even Hasson Reddick in certain packages will totally transform that. Off-ball linebackers like Davion Taylor are going to have their work cut out for them this year, but this position is now filled with explosive talent inside and out. Only so many will be able to make the roster, and there's no doubting guys like T.J Edwards will be looking to show out after a promising 2021 season.
Eagles OL is shuffling
Isaac Seumalo was entrenched as the team's left guard for quite some time...but then Landon Dickerson arrived. This pushed Seumalo over to the RG spot, and with Brandon Brooks and Nate Herbig both out of the picture, it's his role to lose now. However, guys like the ever-versatile Jack Driscoll, and underdog Sua Opeta, will be looking to prove their worth as a long-term option given that Seumalo is in his contract year. He has to step it up this summer.
