Eagles open practice draws 45,000 as Woolen, Smith shine

More than 45,000 fans gathered at Lincoln Financial Field for the Philadelphia Eagles’ annual open training camp practice, an event that also served as a fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation. The session was characterised by a competitive atmosphere, featuring two defensive touchdowns and several explosive offensive plays that highlighted the team’s current form.

Cornerback Riq Woolen emerged as the standout performer, intercepting quarterback Jalen Hurts twice during the practice. His first takeaway came on a dig route intended for rookie running back Makai Lemon, which Woolen undercut. The second interception occurred during a two-minute drill when Woolen jumped an out route to wide receiver DeVonta Smith, returning the ball for a touchdown. These plays underscored the value of his recent one-year, $15 million contract, positioning him as a potential playmaker opposite starting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

DeVonta Smith’s return to practice provided a significant boost to the offensive outlook. He demonstrated explosive movement by catching passes on a deep out and a play-action rollout. In a notable sequence, Smith adjusted his angle on a dig route to avoid Woolen’s coverage, turning upfield for a potential score. Despite a drop on a third-down crossing route, his ability to wrestle away routes against tight coverage from Mitchell was a positive indicator for the team’s receiving corps.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts delivered an uneven performance, balancing encouraging completions with costly mistakes. While he generated several touchdowns, he threw two interceptions. The first was a late throw over the middle, while the second was thrown off his back foot under pressure from Jalyx Hunt. Hurts also underthrew Smith on a deep post that had the potential to result in a touchdown, suggesting room for improvement in decision-making and accuracy.

The offensive unit also experimented with creative formations, utilising players in unconventional roles. Rookie running back Makai Lemon ran a wheel route out of the backfield during a red-zone period, finishing uncovered for a touchdown. Tight end Dallas Goedert also aligned as an offset H-back, indicating a continued focus on versatile offensive schemes during the camp.

The practice session provided a clear snapshot of the Eagles’ strengths and areas for refinement. The defensive intensity, particularly from Woolen, contrasted with the mixed results from the quarterback position. As the team continues its preparation, the balance between defensive playmaking and offensive consistency will be a key focus.