Eagles Training Camp Day 2: Saquon Barkley, Ground Game Spark Offense

The Philadelphia Eagles returned to the practice field on Thursday morning for the second day of training camp under overcast skies that eventually cleared for the sun, wrapping up a session that lasted one hour and thirty-two minutes before the final horn sounded.

Saquon Barkley and the Ground Game Spark the Offense

After a 2025 season where the running game failed to replicate its stellar 2024 numbers, Saquon Barkley ripped off a long run through a big hole on the left side of the line during team drills.

The backfield features depth behind Barkley. Tank Bigsby worked with the first-team offense and showed explosive speed across the first two days of camp. Later in the session, Elijah Mitchell added a long run behind backup offensive linemen. Because the Eagles were not in pads, full tackling was off-limits, but the offensive line consistently opened up running lanes.

Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion has installed a scheme emphasizing under-center formations, bootlegs, nakeds, and passing over the middle. Veteran tackle Lane Johnson praised the new approach.

“What I like about this is everything looks very complex to the defense, to the offense it’s pretty simplified. So obviously you have to pick up on communication and cadence and stuff, but it’s very O-Line friendly compared to maybe some past years I’ve been involved in. … When we’re under center, it’s so hard for the defense to really tell if it’s a run or play-action, so getting off the ball now, it’s a lot more hesitation and reading from them. So I think this offense does a good job of setting us up for success.”

Lane Johnson, via PHLY Sports

Jalen Hurts Encounters a Suffocating Defense

While the run game flourished, the Eagles defense dominated portions of Thursday’s practice, giving Jalen Hurts little room to operate and generating multiple coverage sacks and steady pressure.

Jonathan Greenard Opens Eagles Training Camp on the PUP List

Hurts endured a shaky day under center, throwing a very low pass to DeVonta Smith on a crosser that Smith plucked inches off the turf. Hurts also underthrew a deep ball down the right sideline and nearly suffered an interception by Riq Woolen on a throw intended for Hollywood Brown, though the first-team secondary remains notoriously suffocating.

Jalen Carter Reflects on Record Extension

“Even before the draft, my first visit we had a conversation with them and I knew that there was going to be a lot of trust and love if I was able to get here. I know we’re here for the contract, I know the contract is a reflection of the trust that the coaches and the players and the organization has in me. I’m very thankful for that.”

Jalen Carter, via PHLY Sports

Injury Updates and Roster Notes

The team experienced its first training camp injury when second-year offensive tackle Cameron Williams went down during team drills. Trainers evaluated Williams on the ground before he slowly walked off to the medical tent. Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard remains on the PUP list with a pectoral injury, with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio noting that Greenard will miss a significant portion of camp.

Meanwhile, kicker Jake Elliott went 6-for-7 on his field goal attempts during the workout as he looks to rebound from consecutive down years. The Eagles scheduled a Friday walkthrough with no media availability before returning to the practice field on Saturday.