Philadelphia always supports the Eagles Autism Foundation, and the festivities continued on Tuesday as more than 45,000 fans attended the annual open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. They were treated to several explosive offensive plays, two defensive touchdowns and another competitive training camp session.
Riq Woolen produced the biggest performance of the night, while DeVonta Smith showed why his return changes the outlook for Philadelphia’s offense. Jalen Hurts experienced some encouraging moments and costly mistakes during an uneven performance.
Here are 10 observations from Tuesday’s practice.
1. Riq Woolen owned the night
Woolen’s status as a starting cornerback has never been in question, and Tuesday demonstrated why Philadelphia signed him to a one-year, $15 million
contract. Woolen intercepted Hurts twice. He undercut a dig route intended for Makai Lemon on the first takeaway, then jumped an out route to Smith during a two-minute drill and returned it for a touchdown.
His length, closing speed and ability to recognize route concepts give Philadelphia another potential playmaker opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Riq Woolen taking it to the house after picking off Jalen Hurts 👀 pic.twitter.com/1O32LzwQNR
— 4th and JAWN (@4thandJawn) August 25, 2026
2. Jalen Hurts delivered an uneven performance
Hurts generated several touchdowns and explosive completions, but his two interceptions prevented the performance from being considered a successful one. The first turnover came on a late throw over the middle. Hurts threw the second interception off his back foot while facing pressure from Jalyx Hunt. Woolen anticipated the out route and finished the play in the end zone.
Hurts also underthrew Smith on a deep post that could have resulted in a touchdown.
That after practice work Jalen Hurts and Hollywood Brown been putting in is showing #eagles pic.twitter.com/o9hR6W4TDx
— Symone (@Symone_Stanley) August 25, 2026
3. DeVonta Smith looked healthy and explosive
Smith caught passes on a deep out and a play-action rollout during the first move-the-ball period. He later wrestled away a deep crossing route against tight coverage from Mitchell and accelerated toward the end zone. Smith also adjusted his angle on a dig route when Woolen attempted to undercut it. The route prevented Woolen from producing another takeaway and allowed Smith to turn upfield for a potential touchdown.
There were imperfections, including a drop on a third-down crossing route, but Smith’s movement and explosiveness were encouraging.
Nice throw from Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith#FlyEaglesFly #NFL pic.twitter.com/xsUUFDR4xH
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) August 25, 2026
4. Sean Mannion continued showing creativity
Philadelphia used Lemon out of the backfield during a red-zone period. The rookie ran a wheel route along the left sideline and was left uncovered for a touchdown. Dallas Goedert also aligned as an offset H-back, another indication that Mannion plans to use multiple players in fullback-style roles. The Eagles do not have to carry a traditional fullback if Goedert, Barkley, Lemon and other skill players can execute those responsibilities through formations and motion.
An easy TD for Makai Lemon pic.twitter.com/ziDNKask0L
— Tom Ignudo (@TomIgnudo) August 25, 2026
5. Jalyx Hunt created consistent pressure
Hunt overwhelmed Fred Johnson after Lane Johnson left practice and Markel Bell was unavailable. His pressure also contributed to Hurts’ second interception. The third-year edge rusher has spent the summer establishing himself as a legitimate starter. Tuesday offered more evidence that his combination of length, speed and developing pass-rush technique can become a problem for opposing tackles.
6. Philadelphia’s offensive line depth was tested
Landon Dickerson received a scheduled rest night, allowing Drew Kendall to work at first-team left guard. Lane Johnson walked off with a trainer and remained on the sideline for the remainder of the competitive periods. Fred Johnson replaced him at right tackle and surrendered consecutive pressures during one series. With Bell sidelined by thumb and leg injuries, Philadelphia was forced to reach further into its offensive tackle depth. That move provided the clearest reminder of why reserve offensive line jobs are so important.
7. Makai Lemon’s role continues expanding
Lemon’s most impressive moment came when he aligned at running back and caught an uncontested wheel-route touchdown. The formation displayed how Mannion can manufacture favorable matchups for the first-round pick.
The rookie was also the intended receiver on Woolen’s first interception, providing another example of the timing Lemon and Hurts must continue developing after the receiver missed significant practice time with a hamstring injury. The Eagles are finding different ways to get the football into Lemon’s hands. That may matter more than assigning him to a single traditional receiver position.
8. Saquon Barkley remains a matchup problem
Barkley juked Baun during the first move-the-ball period and broke into the open field for a substantial gain.
His best receiving play came in the red zone when Hurts placed a wheel-route touchdown over Barkley’s outside shoulder. Baun had strong coverage, but the placement and catch were too precise to defend. Philadelphia has continued looking for ways to feature Barkley as a receiver in Mannion’s offense.
Jalen Hurts TD pass to Saquon with Zack Baun trailing in coverage. pic.twitter.com/Q7qdCiMiCn
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) August 25, 2026
9. The defensive backfield challenged every throw
Mitchell broke up the underthrown deep pass intended for Smith. Jihaad Campbell disrupted a throw to Lemon, while Woolen produced the two interceptions.
Philadelphia’s offense created explosive plays, but the defense consistently challenged receivers and punished Hurts for poor ball placement. That competition should benefit both units as the Eagles approach the regular season.
10. Andy Dalton remained first in the QB2 rotation
Dalton received the first repetitions behind Hurts, continuing a pattern the Eagles have maintained despite Tanner McKee’s stronger preseason production.
Dalton badly overthrew Darius Cooper early but recovered to throw a touchdown pass to Elijah Moore.
The depth chart order indicates that the competition remains open. Friday’s preseason finale against Cincinnati will provide both quarterbacks with their last game opportunity to influence the decision.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 10 observations from Eagles’ open training camp practice at the Linc
