Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense provided an accurate summary of their summer during Tuesday night’s open practice at Lincoln Financial Field. There were explosive plays, creative formations and impressive touchdown throws. There were also protection problems, missed opportunities and two interceptions returned toward the end zone by Riq Woolen.
The overall performance was uneven. The encouraging part was that the offense showed how difficult it could become to defend when its top skill players are healthy.
Hurts and DeVonta Smith started quickly
Hurts connected with Smith on a deep out route during the opening move-the-ball period. He found Smith again while rolling outside the pocket on a play-action concept. Smith later made one of the night’s best catches, securing
a deep crossing route in tight coverage against Quinyon Mitchell before accelerating toward the end zone. The chemistry was not perfect. Hurts underthrew Smith on a deep post that could have become a touchdown. Mitchell recovered to break up the pass. Smith also dropped a shallow crossing route on third-and-6 despite having enough space to extend the possession.
Their strongest connection may have come later when Smith caught a dig route against Woolen. The cornerback attempted to undercut the route, but Smith adjusted his angle, secured the pass and turned upfield for what could have become a touchdown in a live game.
Two interceptions changed the evaluation.
Hurts’ first interception came on a throw over the middle intended for Makai Lemon. Woolen recognized the dig route, drove in front of the rookie and took the football toward the end zone. The second interception occurred in two minutes. Hurts faced pressure from Jalyx Hunt and threw off his back foot toward Smith on an out route. Woolen anticipated the pass, secured his second interception and returned it for a touchdown. Both turnovers involved questionable ball placement, allowing Woolen to attack the football without going through the intended receiver.
Hurts has produced several impressive practices while learning Mannion’s offense, but throws over the middle have occasionally allowed defensive backs to undercut routes. Tuesday showed why that area remains worth monitoring.
Sean Mannion displayed his creativity.
The most encouraging offensive development involved formations and player deployment—Lemon aligned at running back during a red-zone period before running a wheel route along the left sideline. The defense lost track of him, leaving the rookie uncovered for a touchdown. Dallas Goedert later aligned as an offset H-back. That formation could allow Philadelphia to use several players in fullback-style roles without dedicating a roster spot to a traditional fullback.
Mannion also created favorable opportunities for Barkley in the passing game. Hurts delivered one of his best throws on a wheel route, placing the football over Barkley’s outside shoulder with Baun in tight coverage. Barkley completed the catch for a touchdown near the front of the end zone.
Hurts added another touchdown pass to Hollywood Brown during a later period, although the pass rush eased before the throw.
Protection became an issue.
The starting offensive line operated without Dickerson, who received a rest night. Kendall replaced him at left guard.
Lane Johnson then walked off with a trainer and did not return to the competitive periods. Fred Johnson replaced him at right tackle and surrendered consecutive pressures during one series. Hurts escaped one of those pressures and completed a pass to Wicks for approximately 10 yards while moving outside the pocket. Hunt’s pressure contributed to the second Woolen interception.
The circumstances on the offensive line did not excuse the turnovers, but they affected the rhythm of the second half of practice.
What should the Eagles take from the performance?
Philadelphia should be encouraged by the variety of ways Mannion created touches for Smith, Barkley, Lemon, Goedert and Brown. The offense produced explosive plays against a talented defense and displayed considerably more creativity than it showed during the preseason opener.
The turnovers cannot be dismissed. Hurts made two decisions that Woolen punished, and another underthrow cost Smith a potential long touchdown. Hurts and the starters are unlikely to receive many, if any, snaps during Friday’s preseason finale. Tuesday therefore served as one of their final competitive rehearsals before preparing for the Washington Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: How Jalen Hurts and Eagles' offense performed during open practice
