Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Tank Bigsby must be more involved in the offense this year!

Today marked the second Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The non-padded session lasted for about 90 minutes. Here’s what I observed at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.

EAGLES PRACTICE NOTES

• JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Whereas the first day of training camp offered reason to be encouraged about the Eagles’ new offense, the second day was a reminder that this unit is still very much a work in progress. Especially as it relates to the passing attack.

  • Vic Fangio’s defense dominated the first 11-on-11 series to the point where Hurts was coverage “sacked” multiple times. One of the few attempts that Hurts did get off was batted incomplete by Zack Baun, who appeared to be in zone coverage.

  • Hurts and the offense did look sharper in 7-on-7. Hurts had good completions back-to-back to DeVonta Smith, who beat Quinyon Mitchell each time. Hurts also hit Makai Lemon on a quick slant in addition to connecting with Elijah Moore. Hurts was fortunate that a pass over the middle intended for Hollywood Brown went through Riq Woolen’s hands after the cornerback undercut a route to be in position for a pick that ultimately wasn’t made.

  • During another 11-on-11 series, Hurts made a nice anticipatory completion to a crossing Dallas Goedert. But then he threw wide of the tight end on a screen.

  • Hurts’ flashiest completion came when he rolled left and threw downfield to Dontayvion Wicks, who made a leaping 50/50 ball catch to beat Jakorian Bennett and Cole Wisniewski in coverage. The ball wobbled in the air and I thought there was a good chance it was going to get picked but I give Hurts credit for being willing to give his receiver a chance to make the play. Turnover avoidance is obviously prudent but not to the point where offensive ambition is completely neutered. I like to see Hurts taking some more risks, especially in a practice setting.

  • I somehow missed this play but BGN alumnus Eliot Shorr-Parks noted that Hurts underthrew an open DeVonta downfield. He said that a better throw would’ve resulted in a sure touchdown. I’m less irked by that miss, which I’d classify as uncharacteristic, than what seemed to be a turn down on what might’ve been a deep touchdown to Wicks along the left sideline at one point. Of course, it’s hard to say with certainty that Wicks was in the progression, but Hurts seemed to be looking at him before checking down. Wicks seemed to be a little bummed that Hurts didn’t give him a chance there.

  • All told, an uneven day for QB1. Which is clearly the end of the world. Season over.

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• The best part of the Eagles’ offense was their rushing attack. Fangio’s defense was all over the run during the first 11-on-11 series. After that, though, multiple running backs broke off some big runs. (Again, note that this practice was not padded and there isn’t live tackling to the ground).

  • Tank Bigsby broke off multiple long runs to the end zone. He’s not someone you need to lock in on in order to notice him at practice; the way he moves is really eye-catching. I know I’ve been beating this drum a lot but I just can’t stop thinking about how the Eagles MUST get him more involved this season. He’s simply too electric to be an afterthought in this offense. Bigsby logged just 3.6 carries per game last season … and that’s with him benefiting from garbage time/the Eagles resting their starters in Week 18. His workload needs to be bigger in 2026.

  • Saquon Barkley found a crease in the left side of the offensive line to find daylight, which prompted Sean Mannion to raise his hands to signal a touchdown.

  • Dameon Pierce caught my attention for the second day in a row. At first it was for turning a dump off reception into a nice catch-and-run gain. He looked natural as a pass-catcher and made a smooth transition turning upfield. Pierce also broke off a big gain as a runner. He’s got some juice.

• EAGLES INJURY UPDATES: Speaking about Jonathan Greenard prior to practice, Fangio said the veteran edge rusher is going to miss a good amount of training camp. And he said Greenard’s absence isn’t ideal in part because the Eagles are going to be asking him to do some things (such as dropping into coverage) he previously hasn’t been tasked with doing. In other news, Cameron Williams suffered an injury that prompted a visit to the medical tent. A cart originally came out for Williams, who is on the roster bubble entering his second season, but he was able to walk off the field. Something to monitor.

• SAFETY BATTLE UPDATES: Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II both saw first-team reps again. Fangio confirmed there’s a true competition going on at that spot. Neither player has done anything to create separation thus far.

• BACKUP QUARTERBACK BATTLE UPDATES: Andy Dalton was the first QB2 up in 7-on-7 but Tanner McKee was the primary backup in the firsts second-team series in 11-on-11. McKee seemed to get sacked a bunch but he did have a completion to a crossing Britain Covey, who was schemed open. Dalton wasn’t bad but didn’t do anything remarkable. Early on, this competition is a mid-off.

• Have yet to see any “wow” factor with Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers. Again, it’s early.

• Johnny Mundt continues to be the second tight end in 12 personnel with the starting offense.

• Hollywood Brown drew a defensive pass interference penalty deep down the field. The flag was either on Ambry Thomas or Andre’ Sam.

• Elijah Moore took a jet sweep with the first-team offense that resulted in no gain with the defense all over him.

• Jordan Davis was in good position to “sack” Hurts from a rush up the middle.

• Rough outing for Cole Payton, who impressed on Day 1. The rookie quarterback threw three interceptions in total. The first one might not have been his fault (can’t clearly recall if the pass was high of his target); the ball bounced off Danny Gray’s hands and into the hands of a diving A.J. Epenesa. Good play by an edge defender with a lack of coverage experience. The second one came on a throw up the seam that looked like it may as well have been intended for linebacker Chance Campbell. The third one was a throw to fellow rookie Keyshawn James-Newby in the flat for a sure pick six. I kind of like this progression for Payton, looking good on the first day but then getting humbled. Now we’ll see if he can bounce back or not.

• Cam Latu, facing tight coverage from Mac McWilliams, dropped a Dalton pass up the seam.

• Jake Elliott attempted some field goals early in practice. BGN alumnus Jimmy Kempski had the best vantage point on those kicks and he informed me that Elliott went 6/7 with makes from 33, 35, 37, 43, 43, and 46 yards out. Elliott’s sole miss was a 40-yard attempt that went wide left, which is the direction that the wind was blowing.

• The Eagles finished practice with a drill where the quarterbacks threw to every player on the team save for specialists, interior defensive linemen, and offensive linemen.

• The legendary Brian Dawkins was in the house for today’s practice.

• Shout out to Rita’s, a tradition at Eagles training camp since 2013. (Feel free to send me free stuff, Rita’s.)

UP NEXT: The Eagles have a walkthrough closed to media access on Friday. They’ll return to practice at 10:00 AM Eastern on Saturday morning. Then they’re off on Sunday.