“I feel like I’m getting hot”

PHILADELPHIA — It's the dog days of summer and training camp is winding down. Despite rain and chilly temperatures, tempers didn't flare Sunday as Brett Toth finished off his one-on-one duel with defensive tackle PJ Mustipher with flying colors, giving the Penn State product one final push to cap it off.

Mustipher didn't like that, and as Toth turned to return to the attack line, Mustipher shoved him in the back. But that was all that happened.

“It was a big conditioning day (two days) after a game where we all did a lot of reps, so there's going to be a lot of excitement there,” Toth said. “I laughed about it. Everyone's going to be excited. It's fun. It really means that we're competing there.”

There are still openings, especially at defensive tackle after the big four of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams and Moro Ojomo. Mustipher is trying to secure a spot on the roster.

“Just competition, man,” Mustipher said of his little feud with Toth. “We're in the dog days of camp, so that's going to happen. He's a competitor, I'm a competitor, that's what you need.”

Mustipher, 24, was available to speak with the Eagles' PR department after practice Saturday morning. It was the first time we've heard from the 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive tackle since he signed as a free agent on March 19.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who will speak to the media Sunday morning, previously said the ideal number of defensive tackles he wants to keep on the final roster is five to seven. Marlon Tuipulotu is likely the favorite for the No. 5 spot, but Mustipher can also play nose guard like Tuipulotu.

In Thursday's 14-13 win over the Patriots, Mustipher played 26 snaps and made three tackles, including one for a loss.

“We're still competing here,” he said. “It's a great D-line room. It's one of the best I've been in since I've been in the league. I'm just excited. Every day we go out there, you turn on the tape after practice and everyone is excited. The competition is still on, but you have to appreciate that. That's why we're here.”

This is Mustipher's third team since joining the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent last year.

His older brother Sam, who is 28, now plays for the Broncos after playing three years with the Bears and last year with the Ravens, but there was no overlap. Like PJ, Sam was also an undrafted free agent, albeit in 2019, but he plays center and has started 42 games there. The Mustipher brothers live and train together in the offseason.

Denver kept PJ on its practice squad until the New Orleans Saints signed him to their 53-man roster. He played in the final four games with the Saints and made four tackles.

“(The camp) is going really well,” he said after choosing the Eagles because he felt he fit well into Fangio's scheme. “After the first week, I definitely felt like I was shaking off some rust, but I'm starting to get into the rhythm and getting along better with the guys.”

“You know, it's my first year here, so I'm starting to understand what Coach Vic expects from us and what responsibilities we have. Things are going well. I feel like I'm starting to get into my stride.”

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