Eagles training camp: Sean Mannion reviews preseason debut, DeVonta Smith returns

PHILADELPHIA — Sights for sore eyes were plentiful on Monday.

The starters for the Philadelphia Eagles were back on the field after Saturday’s uninspiring performance by the reserves. Better still: DeVonta Smith practiced with limitations after missing nearly two weeks with a hamstring injury. The team’s No. 1 receiver participated in stretches and individual drills, but did not take part in team drills. (Players wore helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts in Monday’s practice).

It is not yet certain if Smith will be a full participant in Wednesday and Thursday’s joint practices with the New England Patriots. Smith’s availability in Week 1 is primary, and his Monday return suggests that is more than plausible.

Still, the Eagles seem closer to full strength against the Patriots. Cooper DeJean (groin) and Quinyon Mitchell (glute) both participated in team drills after missing Thursday’s practice. Saquon Barkley, who had his left foot/ankle checked on before exiting Thursday’s practice, also took part in team drills. Rookie safety Cole Wisniewski (hamstring) even made his training camp debut — and had a few snaps with the first-team rotation.

Their collective participation in joint practices, along with the rest of the first-team members, could go a long way toward cleansing the palate after the dismal debut of first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s system. The bottom of the offense’s depth chart fielded seven three-and-outs, which did not echo progress from the top. However, the starters have yet to play, and Mannion has yet to assemble a true in-season game plan with the full playbook available.

Mannion said the Eagles “kept things pretty close to the vest” schematically. He said that game planning was “secondary” to evaluating depth players within fundamental concepts. Still, he acknowledged the Eagles “have things that obviously need to be corrected” — most notably, eliminating the sort of penalties that killed their drives. The Eagles totaled five holding penalties, all on first or second down.

Otherwise, Mannion said there “weren’t a ton of mental errors” against the Baltimore Ravens. He was also “very happy with the process” of calling plays for the first time. He said his operation on the sideline was “smooth” and “comfortable.” There were no substitution issues. No jacked-up play calls. No rushed moments against the play clock. The Eagles did not have any plays in which the ball was snapped with one second left on the play clock, per TruMedia. The Eagles led the NFL with 150 last-second plays in 2025.

Mannion confirmed he will move from the sideline to the booth for Saturday’s preseason game in New England “to get a feel for both” vantage points. Mannion, 34, is a former quarterback who spent his college career at Oregon State and his nine-year NFL career on the sideline. He spent his first year coaching in the booth as an offensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers in 2024, then moved back to the sideline as their quarterbacks coach in 2025.

“I just kind of want to experience it once,” Mannion said. “I think it will offer good perspective.”
The Eagles have a closed walkthrough scheduled at their team facility on Tuesday. Their first joint practice with the Patriots begins at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Top takeaways from Day 12 of Eagles training camp

• Michael Carter II recorded his second interception of training camp. He picked off Jalen Hurts in team drills on a deep pass over the middle intended for Quez Watkins. Marcus Epps still appears to have the edge in the position battle at safety opposite Drew Mukuba. Epps did not suit up Saturday and went first with the first-team unit in team drills on Monday. But defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has said Carter has been “progressing nicely” at safety. It is worth remembering Jalyx Hunt led the 2025 Eagles with three interceptions. Carter is only helping his cause by forcing another turnover.
• Rookie safety Cole Wisniewski made his training camp debut after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. The seventh-rounder out of Texas Tech practiced under limitations, but still had reps with both the first- and second-team units. Wisniewski must make up for lost time and challenge Andre’ Sam, J.T. Gray and Maximus Pulley for reps.
• Linebacker Chance Campbell returned to practice after watching Saturday’s preseason opener from the sidelines. Campbell practiced four times under limitations last week with a groin injury. Those who did not practice on Monday: Jakorian Bennett (knee), Tank Bigsby (toe), Grant Calcaterra (back), Jonathan Jones (shoulder), Makai Lemon (hamstring), Mac McWilliams (groin), John Ojukwu (pectoral), Dameon Pierce (hamstring), Jose Ramirez (hamstring), Shaun Wade (eye/shoulder), Johnny Wilson (knee).
• Rookie tight end Eli Stowers totaled 19 offensive snaps against the Ravens. He totaled 10 plays in 12 personnel packages, according to TruMedia. His usage in two-tight end looks is notable. Blocking is not the rookie’s strength. But the Eagles are using the preseason to develop those skills. “We’re going to ask all of these guys to be productive players in both phases,” Mannion said. “And the preseason is a great opportunity to push these guys, evaluate what they can do, give them things to work on every day in practice, and see them take it to the game. I know Eli has put in a lot of work in improving as a blocker, and in that entire position group there is a huge commitment to be productive in both areas.”