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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Eagles’ training camp: Takeaways and observations from Day 1

The Eagles returned to the practice field at the NovaCare Complex for the 2023 edition of NFL training camp.

A team with Super Bowl aspirations and NFC title hope will return most of the league’s most explosive offense while revamping a talented defense with elite veterans up front and in the secondary.

Jalen Hurts is the face of the franchise after signing a contract extension, and he’ll look to join an elite group of signal-callers.

With Day 2 set for Thursday, here are takeaways and observations from Day 1.

Georgia Boys

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Georgia and Alabama players get to the NFL already ahead of the professional curve, and this year is no different with Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.

Day 1 of training camp is the second time an Eagles veteran has highlighted the intensity that Georgia players participate with.

Nolan Smith six sacks as a rookie?

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Jalen Carter was the No. 9 overall pick, but Nolan Smith could be the most impactful rookie for Philadelphia at seasons end.

Smith is an athletic marvel and could develop into a player utilized at multiple levels and multiple positions.

D'Andre Swift

Eagles OTAs: D’Andre Swift — Photo credit: Kiel Leggerre

Swift is in a contract year and may only be in Philadelphia for one season, but he’s going to get hundreds of combined touches in the rushing and passing games.

Eagles going RB by committee

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that Philadelphia will use a running back by committee approach.

During Wednesday’s practice, every running back that participated logged first team reps.

1st team defensive tackles

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

It was only Day 1, but it appears that Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis will have first crack at leading the defensive tackle rotation.

Christian Elliss could push Nicholas Morrow out

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

It is only 7-on-7 and light team work, but Christian Elliss has been ascending up the depth chart since OTAs and he opened up training camp with another high-motor performance.

GM Howie Roseman has talked about potentially addressing the linebacker position and Elliss could make Morrow expendable.

Injury news

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

All-Pro pass rusher Haason Reddick sat out practice with a sore groin, while Derek Barnett participated on a limited basis.

Outside of Reddick and Barnett, the Eagles entered Day 1 relatively healthy, having only Devon Allen on the PUP list after Tuesday’s conditioning test.

Allen was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury List with a calf injury.

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