{"id":301949,"date":"2025-08-20T00:43:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T00:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/301949\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T00:43:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T00:43:12","slug":"eagles-training-camp-practice-notes-first-look-at-john-metchie-iii-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/301949\/","title":{"rendered":"Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: First look at John Metchie III"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Monday marked the 17th Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The fully padded session lasted for just under two hours and it was one of the most intense scrimmage-like practices of the summer. Here\u2019s what I observed at the NovaCare Complex.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">It\u2019s hard not to grade Hurts on a curve considering the first-team offense was missing A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, and Landon Dickerson. Lane Johnson and Dallas Goedert also took less than 100% of their normal reps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Unable to rely on his patchwork offensive line to give him great protection, Hurts did well at times to work the quick game. He had a number of short completions in this regard. That said, he still had some reps where it looked like he held the ball for too long.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hurts had two nice downfield completions in 1-on-1s. He first dropped the ball in a bucket to Jahan Dotson to beat Quinyon Mitchell (!) and then to Terrace Marshall Jr. to beat Mac McWilliams.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hurts\u2019 first passing attempt in team drills was a short completion to undrafted rookie Darius Cooper, whom he seems to be building trust with.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hurts did miss Cooper high on one rep. He then wide on another pass, though the wide receiver might not have been exactly where the quarterback expected him to be.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hurts had a good completion to Grant Calcaterra while rolling left on a scramble drill. The No. 2 tight end did well to uncover from Cooper DeJean by cutting back to the middle of the field for a completion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Hurts was picked off by Nolan Smith on a play where the quarterback tried to throw over the middle to Saquon Barkley.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">All told, a mixed bag for Hurts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Andrew Mukuba and Johnny Wilson notably left practice early and did not return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Mukuba was grabbing at the back of his left leg after 1-on-1 drills early in practice. He took one more rep in another drill before walking to the medical tent with a trainer. He then headed back into the team\u2019s headquarters. One would think the rookie safety might be dealing with a hamstring injury. Just when it seemed like Mukuba was moving ahead of Sydney Brown in the starting safety competition, it looks like the latter candidate has the advantage once again. Mukuba previously missed a good chunk of training camp and one preseason game due to a shoulder injury. Not good that he hasn\u2019t been able to stay healthy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Wilson got rolled up on by Brett Toth on a running play. He seemed to be in pain as he hobbled off the field to the medical tent with help from a trainer. Wilson was later carted off, which is never an encouraging sign. Wilson had a rough start to camp but he really turned it around since then. The Eagles\u2019 recent trade for another wide receiver (John Metchie III) is looking like a good move.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">WR A.J. Brown (hamstring)<br \/>CB Tariq Castro-Fields (hamstring)<br \/>S Lewis Cine (groin)<br \/>OG Landon Dickerson (knee)<br \/>CB Brandon Johnson (groin)<br \/>OT Jordan Mailata (concussion)<br \/>QB Tanner McKee (finger)<br \/>WR DeVonta Smith (groin)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Brown has missed four straight practices. He did get some rehab work in prior to practice. And he was also throwing the ball around in some individual drills. I\u2019d be very surprised if he misses Week 1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">DeVonta\u2019s groin injury is a new development. He previously missed some practices due to back tightness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Mailata\u2019s concussion is a new development. He\u2019s been wearing a compression sleeve on one of his legs that seems to be less than 100%. But he hasn\u2019t been listed on the injury report with that issue.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McKee suffered a finger injury during Monday\u2019s practice. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Tim_McManus\/status\/1957807059367256315\" rel=\"nofollow\">It\u2019s reportedly a non-surgical injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Dickerson watched practice from the sideline once again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Cine has missed three straight practices and one preseason game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Johnson and TCF have missed two straight practices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">TE Dallas Goedert (groin)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Goedert\u2019s groin injury is a new development. He participated in team drills but I don\u2019t think he took his normal workload.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">UPGRADED TO FULL PARTICIPATION<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Lane Johnson (rest), Kenyon Green (shoulder), and AJ Woods (illness) were removed from the injury report after being listed as limited on Monday. But Lane still got some rest; he didn\u2019t take 100% of the starter reps.<\/p>\n<p>FIRST LOOK AT JOHN METCHIE III<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">JM3 missed yesterday morning\u2019s practice since the trade between the Eagles and Houston Texans wasn\u2019t made official until later in the afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">It didn\u2019t take long for Metchie to get involved on Tuesday. After taking part in 1-on-1s, he saw multiple targets from Kyle McCord while running with the second-team offense in team drills. Metchie caught the first pass that came his way for a good gain over the middle but then he dropped the ball that was thrown to him on a slant. Metchie later saw first-team reps; he was open for a short gain after running across the formation in pre-snap motion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Metchie also took some punt returner reps (along with Ainas Smith, Jahan Dotson, and Cooper DeJean) despite not having significant experience in that role.<\/p>\n<p>POSITION BATTLE UPDATE \u2014 CORNERBACK<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Cooper DeJean continued to take outside cornerback reps in the Eagles\u2019 base defense.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Adoree\u2019 Jackson was first up with the first-team defense in 11-on-11 on Tuesday. That makes 11 days Jackson has been up first and six days for Kelee Ringo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jackson was in position to blow up Cooper after a short reception (reminder: the Eagles aren\u2019t actually tackling). The veteran cornerback made a leaping pass breakup on a short Hurts throw to Goedert.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jakorian Bennett, not Ringo, rotated in for Jackson with the first-team defense. I didn\u2019t write his name down in my notes during team drills but he did break up a short Hurts pass during 1-on-1s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">I wonder if Ringo\u2019s confidence is shaken right now. Not hard to understand how that could be the case after he entered camp as the favorite to start and he\u2019s since been demoted. During a special team drill where the Eagles were having gunners practice batting the ball out of the end zone to prevent touchbacks, Ringo totally flubbed an opportunity where the ball would\u2019ve been downed inside the three-yard line. Later, Ringo allowed multiple Kyle McCord completions to Elijah Cooks. Ringo took reps during the end of practice developmental drills for the second day in a row.<\/p>\n<p>POSITION BATTLE UPDATE \u2014 SAFETY<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">In case you missed it above, Mukuba is dealing with what seems to be a hamstring injury. Advantage: Sydney Brown, who took all the first-team safety reps next to Reed Blankenship.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">If Mukuba has to miss time, I wonder if the Eagles will even play Brown against the New York Jets on Friday night? Or at least not for long. Don\u2019t want to risk another safety injury.<\/p>\n<p>POSITION BATTLE UPDATE \u2014 LINEBACKER<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was still first up as the first-team linebacker next to Zack Baun.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Trot Jr. was in position to blow up a Hurts shovel pass to Saquon for a loss. Totally sniffed it out.<\/p>\n<p>POSITION BATTLE UPDATE &#8211; QB3<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">With Tanner McKee not practicing, Kyle McCord took all the QB2 reps in today\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McCord did well to not panic against a heavy blitz. He kept his eyes downfield and fired a completion to a crossing Elijah Cooks. McCord had another good completion to Cooks and generally looked OK for rookie QB3 standards.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McCord did get picked off by Tristin McCollum on a pass over the middle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Dorian Thompson-Robinson saw just a few reps in the developmental period towards the end of practice. DTR threw a pick to Eli Ricks that went through the cornerback\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">McCord is ahead of DTR with one week remaining until roster cuts down to 53 players.<\/p>\n<p>A leaping Jalen Carter knocked down a Hurts pass at the line of scrimmage. Carter then gave Hurts a finger wag.Zack Baun doesn\u2019t look like he\u2019s dealing with lingering effects from his back injury. He\u2019s been awesome since returning to action. The offense tried to spring Saquon Barkley out on the edge with a swing pass but Baun destroyed Kylen Granson\u2019s block to help limit the play to a short gain.A stunting Jordan Davis logged a \u201csack\u201d on Hurts where the quarterback was forced to step up due to pressure from the edge. On that rep, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt were lined up next to each other over the left side of the offensive line.Ainias Smith continues to look at his best in 1-on-1s. He had some catches for pretty short gains in team drills.Cooper on Cooper crime: Cooper DeJean broke up a short Hurts pass to Darius Cooper in 1-on-1s. Eagles fans could have an opportunity to yell COOOOOOOP on both offense and defense this year.Matt Pryor repped at left tackle with Jordan Mailata not practicing. It wasn\u2019t very pretty. Jalyx Hunt dominated him to generate two sacks early in practice. Offensive line depth is a real concern. And specifically the swing tackle role.Darian Kinnard repped at right tackle when Lane Johnson was resting. Kinnard seems like a good bet to make the team again.Kenyon Green lined up at second-team left guard. He might make the team after all due to the combination of Dickerson\u2019s injury and other backup offensive linemen struggling. Trevor Keegan did rotate in at second-team LG.Giles Jackson made a deep catch for a touchdown in 1-on-1s where the ball initially bounced off him and\/or the defending AJ Woods but Jackson still managed to track it and catch it after going to the ground. That drew some excitement from the crowd at practice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Schedule for the next several days:<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday, August 20 \u2014 Eagles training camp practice at 10:00 AM Eastern (NovaCare Complex)Thursday, August 21 \u2014 Walkthrough closed to media accessFriday, August 22 \u2014 Eagles at Jets preseason game starting at 7:30 PM Eastern (MetLife Stadium)Saturday, August 23 \u2014 Off day<a class=\"duet--article--comments-link _1jdgahs9\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bleedinggreennation.com\/philadelphia-eagles-training-camp\/156230\/eagles-training-camp-practice-notes-first-look-at-john-metchie-iii#comments\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Monday marked the 17th Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The fully padded&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":301950,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[7,6,51995,47347],"class_list":{"0":"post-301949","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-nfl","10":"tag-philadelphia-eagles-preseason","11":"tag-philadelphia-eagles-training-camp"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115058324565798251","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=301949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/301949\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/301950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=301949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=301949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=301949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}