Philadelphia Eagles football is back!
For the first time since clobbering the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the Birds will be playing a football game on Thursday night when they host the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field.
Of course, the final score of this matchup doesn’t matter. And the Eagles aren’t likely to play their unquestioned starters.
Still, preseason games give us more information in terms of position battles and players fighting to make the 53-man roster or practice squad.
Here are the most especially interesting Eagles players to watch tonight, grouped by tiers. For your viewing convenience, I’ve listed jersey numbers next to their names.
VERY INTERESTING
#7 – KELEE RINGO
I don’t think it’s fair to say Ringo’s had a bad summer. I do think it’s fair to be disappointed that Ringo hasn’t totally run away with the starting cornerback job opposite of Quinyon Mitchell. By Vic Fangio’s own admission, the CB2 battle is “close.” Ringo can help his case with a strong performance on Thursday night. Assuming the Bengals do indeed play their starters (most notably Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins), Ringo will be tested. Time for him to step up.
#8 – ADOREE’ JACKSON
Based on his comments, Fangio doesn’t seem to love Jackson. But the veteran cornerback has been the first first-team cornerback in six out of 10 training camp practices thus far. Perhaps he can still win the Eagles’ defensive coordinator over. It’ll be interesting to see whether Ringo or Jackson can create some separation in the CB2 battle.
#21 – SYDNEY BROWN
Cooper DeJean could end up being the starting safety need to Reed Blankenship in the Eagles’ base defense but he’ll likely play the slot in nickel packages. With Andrew Mukuba missing time, Brown is currently the top contender to play safety in nickel. Brown hasn’t had a very active camp, for better or for worse. He’s probably more of a gamer than a practice performer, though, given the physicality he plays with.
Duh. The Eagles’ first-round pick in any given year is always going to make this list. Campbell’s had good flashes in training camp; his athleticism and physicality has been on display. It’ll be interesting to see how the rookie fares in his first NFL game action. Also will be interesting to see exactly how the Eagles use him. Will he only be playing off-ball linebacker? Do they look to get him some edge rusher snaps? The time to experiment is now, before the real games start.
#41 – DARIUS COOPER
Relative to being an undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver, Cooper is intriguing. The 2024 NCAA leader in WR receiving yards has shined in training camp. Now we’ll see if the Division I FCS product can translate his practice success to game action. Cooper currently projects as a practice squad player … but he might be able to force the Eagles to use a roster spot on him if he continues to ball out.
#42 – SMAEL MONDON JR.
Mondon’s had a really good training camp. The rookie linebacker has been stout as a run defender. He’s also made really good plays in coverage, and specifically against Saquon Barkley. Mondon faces an uphill battle to start with Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. ahead of him for the spot next to Zack Baun. Not to mention Nakobe Dean returning at some point. But, with Baun missing six practices, Mondon has been taking first-team reps next to Trot Jr. He could find his way onto the field this year depending on how things shake out. If not, he could be a future starter or trade chip.
#54 – JEREMIAH TROTTER JR.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s likely only a matter of time until Campbell starts next to Baun but Trot Jr. isn’t going down without a fight. It’s possible that Trot Jr. won’t see much playing time on Thursday night. If so, that’s obviously a good sign for how the Eagles view him.
#82 – AINIAS SMITH
Smith has had some good moments in 1-on-1 drills. And that’s while going up against DeJean. But he hasn’t done much with 11-on-11 reps. I struggle to see the intrigue with Smith. I think it’s hard to argue he’s been one of the five best receivers this summer. Let’s see if he can help his case on Thursday night. If he’s not going to stand out on offense, he needs to at least show he can contribute as a punt returner.
#86 – ELIJAH COOKS
Cooks has indisputably been the fourth best wide receiver behind the Eagles’ top trio of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll make the 53-man roster as WR4, though. The Eagles want their depth wide receivers to be able to do the dirty work such as blocking and contributing on special teams. We know Cooks can catch the ball. Can he do the other things well?
#89 – JOHNNY WILSON
Speaking of doing the dirty work, the Eagles like Wilson’s efforts as a blocker and special teams contributor. That might be enough for him to retain his roster spot. But it sure would be nice to see Wilson look more effective as a pass-catcher, especially in jump ball/red zone situations where his size should be able to help him.
INTERESTING
#0 – JOSH UCHE
Uche seems to be third edge rusher behind projected starters Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. It’d be good to see Uche generate some pressure on Burrow.
#13 – AZEEZ OJULARI
Ojulari’s had a relatively quiet summer. Need to see some signs of life here.
#14 – DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON
Preseason games are big for the QB3 battle because practice reps for DTR and Kyle McCord are very limited. If the Eagles have their druthers, both players will play well. And they’ll try to trade DTR for something (probably not much but getting literally anything is a win) while keeping McCord, who is younger and has more team control. DTR didn’t have a great spring or start to training camp but he’s since turned it around. It could be fun to watch him run around and make some plays on Thursday night.
#19 – KYLE MCCORD
McCord makes some throws that make you believe he’ll eventually be a backup quarterback. The South Jersey native doesn’t play with fear, which is respectable. But that aggression can also work against him. Preseason turnovers for a Day 3 rookie quarterback should hardly be a death knell. But it’d be nice to see him earn some trust that he can handle being QB3.
#23 – ELI RICKS
Ricks is having a better summer than he did last year. He’s made a number of plays on the ball. But with the Eagles trading for Jakorian Bennett and drafting Mac McWilliams, Ricks might not be a roster lock. Fangio said Ricks needs to “eliminate the negative [plays].” We’ll see if he can do that.
#29 – A.J. DILLON
It’s not always easy to evaluate running backs in practice since the Eagles don’t tackle. Especially in the case of a hard-running player like Dillon. Would be nice to see some of that downhill power on display in this game. Note that this is Dillon’s first real game action since August 10 last year.
#39 – SHUNDERRICK POWELL
Powell’s broken some long runs in practice. He’s also made some plays catching the ball out of the backfield. It wouldn’t shock me if he becomes the next Henry Josey.
#43 – BEN VANSUMEREN
This is the first game BVS will be playing in since he made the full-time transition to fullback. How often will the Eagles utilize him as a lead blocker? Will he be good at it? Does he get any offensive touches? Of course, none of that probably matters as much as his ability to be a good special teams player.
#50 – OGBO OKORONKWO
The Eagles seemingly have a top trio at edge rusher: Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Josh Uche. Who are the players behind them? Does Ojulari definitely make the roster? Ogbo has done some good things. The veteran might be able to push for the fourth or fifth edge rusher spot.
#76 – KENYON GREEN
At the time the Eagles acquired him in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, there was thought that Green would compete for the starting right guard job. Not happening. He’s exclusively worked at left guard, and often with the third-team offensive line. Green might not make the roster. The pressure is on for him to show something. We’ll see if Jeff Stoutland’s tutelage has been able to help at all.
#83 – KYLEN GRANSON
Who is the third tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra? I don’t think there’s a clear TE3 front-runner based on merit. The preseason games could change that.
#85 – HARRISON BRYANT
Again, would be nice to see someone step up to be TE3.
#94 – TY ROBINSON
Interested to see how Robinson fits into the defensive tackle rotation as a rookie. We know he’s behind Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo. Is he definitely DT4? Or does Gabe Hall, who’s had a good summer, end up getting more snaps?
#96 – GABE HALL
The 2024 undrafted rookie free agent signing has seemingly made a leap from Year 1 to Year 2. The Eagles might not trade Thomas Booker away if that didn’t happen. Time to see Hall show off his improvement in game action. He might be DT4.
MILDLY INTERESTING
#4 – JAKE ELLIOTT
I’m bullish on Elliott bouncing back this year. He’s off to a good start in camp. Would be nice to see him continue to avoid misses.
#16 – TANNER MCKEE
I’m only mildly interested in watching Touchdown Tanner because I expect him to be pretty good by this point. He’s previously looked good in the preseason, he looked good in limited regular season action last year, and he’s looked mostly good in practice this summer.
#18 – AVERY WILLIAMS
Williams hasn’t looked good on offense. And he hasn’t been a full-time returner in special teams drills. Does he return punts and/or kicks in this game? Or is he just on special teams coverage? Not exactly sure what’s going on here.
#56 – TYLER STEEN
Guessing Steen won’t even suit up. That much would cement his status as the starting right guard.
#67 – LAEKIN VAKALAHI
The Eagles only trusted Vakalahi to play eight preseason snaps last summer with all of them coming at the end of their final preseason game. Will the long-term developmental project be able to get on the field earlier than that this summer?
UNCLEAR IF THEY’LL PLAY
Not counting these players towards the total in the headline since they might not suit up.
#22 – MAC MCWILLIAMS
McWilliams (quad) was limited in the two practices leading up to this game. If he does play, it’ll be interesting to see where he lines up. Nickel cornerback? Outside? Both?
#24 – ANDREW MUKUBA
Fangio suggested that Mukuba (shoulder) is unlikely to play on Thursday night. If that’s the case, it’s a missed opportunity for the rookie to build his case as a starter.
#34 – MONTRELL JOHNSON JR.
The undrafted rookie running back has flashed during training camp but he’s missed the Eagles’ last three practices due to a hamstring injury. I’m assuming he won’t be able to play.
#38 – LEWIS CINE
Cine (hamstring) missed two practices before being upgraded to limited on Tuesday. Guessing he won’t be able to play.
#46 – TERRACE MARSHALL JR.
Marshall (knee) returned to practice in a limited capacity but I didn’t see him participate in team drills on Tuesday. Guessing he won’t be able to play.
#47 – CHARLEY HUGHLETT
Hughlett has been listed as limited in recent practices due to a neck injury. The Eagles recently signed another long snapper: Christian Johnstone (#37). Is this a legit LS competition? Or is Hughlett unable to play?
#49 – JAKORIAN BENNETT
Bennett didn’t practice with the Eagles on Tuesday since the trade wasn’t officially finalized until after practice. Tough to play in a game without ever practicing for the team.
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