What is the story about?
The
official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens are in. Let’s take a look.
OFFENSE
- The Eagles took a long look at rookie Micah Morris, who played at left guard.
- Jake Majors took all 34 snaps at center.
- I was hoping the Eagles wouldn’t play Darius Cooper much because they’ve already seen enough to believe he deserves playing time and thus would like to preserve him. But they didn’t do that. He played a lot. Cooper led the Eagles in receiving with a mere 21 yards. He would’ve had more had he not dropped a would-be first down conversion.
- Willie Lampkin began the game with four snaps at center before shifting over to right guard.
- A recent development: the Eagles utilizing John Ojukwu at left guard, where he lacks experience. They were previously having him work at both tackle positions. Ojukwu took 10 snaps at left guard and 13 at left tackle in this game. I think he’s on the roster bubble.
- Markel Bell got the start at right tackle.
- Eli Stowers started the game and played the most of any tight end. His three receptions resulted in 12 yards. The rookie also saw a lot of action on special teams. Pro Football Focus graded him 29th out of 29 Eagles players on offense.
- Tanner McKee followed Andy Dalton, who started the game. Then Cole Payton took over in the fourth quarter.
- Myles Hinton played exclusively at left tackle despite often repping at guard this offseason.
- Drew Kendall and Fred Johnson started the game but didn’t stay in for too long. They could be the sixth and seventh offensive linemen behind the five starters.
- Elijah Moore and Hollywood Brown each had one touch in limited playing time.
DEFENSE
- Mac McWilliams saw a lot of playing time. PFF charted him with an allowed four targets for four catches, 37 yards, a 105.2 passer rating, and two penalties. Not a good night for the second-year corner.
- Smael Mondon Jr. was active as a blitzer, generating three pressures, which was tied for a team high.
- Ty Robinson played a lot, which isn’t necessarily good, but he generated three pressures … including a sack. I think he’s doing enough to convince the Eagles to keep him.
- The Eagles took a good look at undrafted rookie linebacker Deontae Lawson on both defense and special teams. The Birds are so loaded at his position that I don’t know that he’ll make the roster.
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr. looked pretty good when he played. Don’t really see the need to play him much more in the preseason.
- The Eagles used Kapena Gushiken (or “Gush” as Vic Fangio called him, not to be confused with Gish) in multiple roles. PFF charted him with 14 snaps in the box, nine at slot corner, and 10 at safety.
- Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard both saw a decent amount of playing time in the first football game of their lives!
- Michael Carter II got the start at safety. He seems to be still be adjusting to that new role for him.
- Brandon George played 14 defensive snaps for a team he only joined the day prior. He graded out highly by PFF in their special teams grading. ST is supposed to be his calling card, so, that’s good.
- Jihaad Campbell was the only projected 2026 full-time starter (non-specialists, obviously) to play in this game. A little interesting.
- Jakorian Bennett got injured early in the game and did not return.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Stone Smartt didn’t manage to get any offensive snaps, only played on special teams. Ditto for Hollin Pierce, who barely played at all in this game. Poor guy.
DID NOT PLAY
- To no surprise, the Eagles rested almost all of their starters.
- DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Cole Wisniewski, Quinyon Mitchell, Jonathan Jones, Cooper DeJean, Dameon Pierce, Tarqi Castro-Fields, Keyshawn James-Newby, Jonathan Greenard (active/PUP), Chance Campbell, and Johnny Wilson were all on the injury report prior to Saturday’s game. The starters from that group obviously won’t have played anyway. Curious to see that Wilson was out since he recently returned to practice. Maybe being extra cautious to prevent a setback there.
- Marcus Epps being rested seems like a really good sign for his chances of winning the so-called safety battle.
- Johnny Mundt being rested clearly shows he’s going to have a meaningful role as TE2.
