Takeaways from Eagles training camp: Talented defender argues for starting lineup, Vic Fangio changes his defensive tactics and more

PHILADELPHIA — Two preseason games are over, which means preparations for the regular season begin. The Philadelphia Eagles have yet to assemble their 53-man roster, which must be decided in 10 days.

Players hoping to earn a spot on the 53-man roster still have one preseason game and five open practices left. The final part of training camp began on Saturday, when the Eagles attended the rainy practice in tracksuits and shorts. The forecast for Sunday is no better. The Eagles are scheduled to practice Saturday-Monday and then Tuesday-Wednesday before switching from Saturday-Sunday to Tuesday-Thursday.

There were some exciting fights on the 13th day of training camp. Here is an overview of Saturday's training:

Injuries

Of the players who did not train: DT Gabe Hall (hamstring), OL Matt Hennessy (back), TE EJ Jenkins (knee), WR Joseph Ngata (ankle), TE Albert Okwuegbunam (abdomen), S Caden Sterns (knee), WR John Ross (concussion), OL Tyler Steen (ankle), WR Johnny Wilson (concussion).

Ross and Wilson suffered concussions last week, with Ross' injury occurring in a preseason game. Ngata just caught five balls for 88 yards in the preseason win over the Patriots. Hall and Jenkins also played in Thursday's preseason game. Steen appeared to aggravate his ankle injury in that game.

The players who were restricted: LB Oren Burks (knee), TE Grant Calcaterra (shoulder), S CJ Gardner-Johnson (shoulder), WR Parris Campbell (groin), DB Cooper DeJean (hamstring).

Calcaterra missed Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots but returned after a week off. Burks is back for the first time since the first day of practice, while Gardner-Johnson and Campbell were out for just over a week. DeJean returned earlier this week and participated in team drills.

Notes on the depth diagram

attack

defense

Player Notes

• Nakobe Dean had another strong training camp as the former starting linebacker looks set to take his job back. On the first play of 11-on-11, Dean knocked down running back Will Shipley as soon as Shipley caught the pass (remember, the Eagles play in shorts and protective gear). Shipley did a good job of holding onto the ball after Dean hit him with a huge hit. Dean's play is deteriorating and he's finding his way to the football in recent practices. At this rate, he could get his starting spot back.
• Big day for Jalyx Hunt, who had a sack on Jalen Hurts in the team phase when he beat Fred Johnson at the edge. Hunt later intercepted a pass from CJ Uzomah on an out route that was about 10 yards long, showing why the Eagles were intrigued by him at the draft. AJ Brown scored a touchdown on a play where Hunt was unblocked at the edge, but credit Jalen Hurts for recognizing the blitz and getting rid of the football. Hunt has been making good plays all summer.
• CJ Uzomah had a stellar day catching passes. Uzomah had to hide behind EJ Jenkins at the No. 3 tight end position, but caught a pass on an out route over cornerback Isaiah Rodgers as the offense was pushed back in their own end zone. Rodgers appeared to be out of position, but Uzomah deserves credit for taking advantage. Hunt also beat James Bradberry on a deep ball from Tanner McKee in 7-on-7 and also caught a McKee punt pass later in the session. There is a roster spot up for grabs at TE3.
• Nolan Smith forced Jalen Hurts out of the pocket as he looked for DeVonta Smith. Quinyon Mitchell covered Smith for a long time and eventually broke up the pass when Hurts thought he had the gap to find Smith. Impressive pressure from Nolan Smith and great work by Mitchell to intercept a ball that appeared to be in Smith's possession.
• This practice featured significantly more pressure and blitzes from Vic Fangio. Devin White and Nakobe Dean ran up the A-gap at linebacker, while Smith, Hunt and Bryce Huff applied constant pressure from the outside. Darius Slay and Reed Blankenship were also used on secondary blitzes. The defense won this practice thanks to the constant pressure that Fangio applied. Because of this pressure from the outside, Huff blew up a pass from Hurts to Saauon Barkley.
• Braden Mann has been handling kickoffs in the new kickoff formation, not Jake Elliott. That happened in Thursday's preseason game, too, so that's something to watch out for this week. The Eagles aren't where they want to be with the new kickoff rules. There was a lot of indecision and dropped returns throughout this practice.