What is the story about?
The
official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason loss to the New England Patriots are in. Let’s take a look.
OFFENSE
- The Eagles took a long look at Jake Majors, who has seen a good amount of second-team reps in camp. He started at right guard and played 18 snaps there before shifting over to center for the rest of the game. Majors seems to be on the roster bubble. I’d lean towards him being off the team since he played so much on Saturday night. Majors has looked better in the games than he has in training camp practices.
- Quez Watkins played the most of any skill player and saw three targets that resulted in zero catches.
- Micah Morris is showing enough to where the Eagles shouldn’t want to expose him to waivers.
- Carson Steele saw a sizeable workload in part because the Eagles only dressed three running backs for this game: him, Will Shipley, and Ja’Quinden Jackson (who got hurt on the first play of the game). Steele ran hard but finished with just 33 yards on 11 carries (2.8 average). He did most of his damage as a pass-catcher to lead the Eagles in receiving with seven targets that resulted in six catches, 84 yards, and one touchdown. Steele looked awesome hurdling not one but two different defenders. Maybe the Eagles keep four ball carriers, especially if Steele can contribute in a fullback role? Steele played less on special teams in this game than he did in the first one but I wonder if that was related to the Eagles being so thin at running back.
- Myles Hinton has exclusively played left tackle through two preseason games despite previously getting reps at both guard spots in practice.
- It’s really hard to get a read on the Eagles’ QB2 situation. Andy Dalton getting two straight preseason starts seems like a good sign for his stock … but he just hasn’t played well. Tanner McKee has hardly been lights out but he’s at least been better than Dalton. There’s been speculation that the Eagles are showcasing Dalton and/or McKee for trade purposes but prioritizing a meager return over actually getting the top backup quarterback option prepared for the season seems very silly at this point. To me, McKee should be the choice of the two. While McKee hasn’t inspired a ton of confidence this summer, his previous peaks are just better than whatever the best of Dalton (who turns 38 in October) can muster at this point in time.
- Stone Smartt did not play on offense in the Eagles’ first preseason game. He was their second-most targeted player in their second preseason game. He also still played a lot on special teams. Seems like a practice squad candidate.
- Eli Stowers’ two targets resulted in zero catches. He was open for first down yardage early in the game but Dalton simply overtherw him. The rookie tight end has been targeted five times in the preseason for three catches and 12 yards.
- Will Shipley had a nice night, aided by the Eagles’ backup offensive line mauling the Patriots’ defense. Even so, Shipley ran hard to finish with 11 carries for 56 yards (5.1 average) and one touchdown. Shipley also looked good working with the Eagles’ starting offense against the Pats in joint practices last week. He’s earned his RB3 role.
- Britain Covey’s sole catch went for a 14-yard touchdown. He muffed a punt return but was ultimately able to get back on the ball.
- In the first preseason game, Willie Lampkin played four snaps at center and 19 at right guard. On Saturday night, Lampkin took all of his 18 snaps at center. And he looked pretty great while doing it. He’s clearly making the roster.
- Last week, Drew Kendall saw four snaps at right guard and six at center. This week, Kendall logged all 18 of his snaps at left guard. Guessing he’ll be the top interior backup option, even ahead of Lampkin.
- Darius Cooper, who is awesome, was the Eagles’ top graded offensive player by Pro Football Focus standards. He caught three of his four targets (the only missed connection was a Dalton overthrow) for 44 yards. It was good to see the Eagles only used him for 18 snaps before then resting him. Cooper previously played 29 snaps (66%) in the first preseason game. There’s really no need to further expose him to injury in the preseason at this point. We can see that he’s good and deserves a role in the offense.
- Zeke Correll logged 16 snaps despite only signing with the Eagles on Friday. Must be tough to play without even practicing with the team at all.
- Cole Payton was limited to just three snaps, all of which came with less than a minute remaining in the game. We should see plenty of him in the preseason finale.
DEFENSE
- Not sure there’s room for Gabe Hall on the roster but he deserves to make the team based on merit. He looked pretty good against the Pats as both a run defender and pass rusher.
- Speaking of defensive tackles who look good, man, how about Ty Robinson? He had a terrible start to camp before really turning it around recently. Through two preseason games, he’s produced three sacks, four TFLs, and four quarterback hits (he also had another QB hit wiped out by a Kelee Ringo penalty). Kudos to Robinson for responding in a big way after likely feeling the pressure to perform. The 2025 fourth-round pick will begin the season as the fifth defensive tackle behind Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young. Maybe he eventually pushes for the DT4 role but Vic Fangio seems to like “BY” much more than Robinson.
- Jose Ramirez has popped a bit on both defense and special teams in the preseason. Could be a practice squad guy.
- Shaun Wade has had some struggles in coverage but two forced fumbles through two preseason games is impressive. You have to appreciate his hustle.
- Kapena Gushiken did not see any playing time at safety in this game after taking 10 snaps there last week. His action against the Pats was limited to being a slot corner/box defender. The Gush is making a push for a roster spot as a development version of Michael Carter II, a hybrid nickel/safety.
- Zion Wilson has exceeded low expectations this summer. Seems like a good developmental guy to keep around on the practice squad.
- Seeing Joshua Weru log an NFL sack in the second-ever football game of his entire life was really, really cool. Also heartwarming to see how his teammates were so happy for him. Weru has probably shown too much potential for the Eagles to expose him to waivers, which is crazy to think about.
- Seems like Smael Mondon Jr. has been used as a blitzer a lot through these two preseason games. Is that because the Eagles think he’s good in that role and/or is it about wanting to test out his skills in that capacity?
- Chance Campbell only played 32 snaps but finished second on the Eagles in total tackles with seven. The Eagles are truly deep at off-ball linebacker.
- Good to see Cole Wisniewski make his Eagles preseason debut. He’s missed most of the offseason due to injury but maybe he can make a strong final push to be the fourth safety.
- Mac McWilliams didn’t look great and then got banged up. Not good.
- Uar Bernard logged two assisted tackles, the first game-action football tackles of his entire life. Slowly but surely making progress in his development.
- Don’t think we’ll be seeing Arnold Ebiketie or A.J. Epenesa in the Eagles’ third preseason game. They clearly look overqualified to be playing against backups, as they should. The Eagles have strong depth at edge rusher.
- Vic Fangio has said there’s still an ongoing competition between Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II at safety … but Epps not even playing in the preseason games while MC2 does play really tells you the former is going to be the starter.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Jake Elliott has yet to attempt a field goal in the preseason but he’s 4/4 on extra point kicks (though one barely snuck inside the right upright on Saturday).
- Braden Mann’s longest punt went 63 yards. His career long in a regular season game is 72.
- Good to see see Ja’Quinden Jackson was able to travel back to Philly with the team after leaving the field in ambulance.
DID NOT PLAY
- To no surprise, the Eagles rested all of their starters. (Including Jihaad Campbell, who played last week.)
- DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Jakorian Bennett, Jonathan Jones, Dameon Pierce, Keyshawn James-Newby, Jonathan Greenard (active/PUP), John Ojukwu, Grant Calcaterra, and Byron Young were all on the injury report prior to Saturday’s game. The starters from that group obviously wouldn’t have played anyway.
- Hollywood Brown being among the rested players seems like a good sign for his roster chances. At least, if he’s not traded.
- Curious to see Danny Gray didn’t play. Perhaps he got banged up in practice last week. He had previously missed time due to a concussion.
