Eagles rookie DB Cooper DeJean (hamstring) participates in practice – Tim McManus, ESPN
The Eagles finally get one of their important draft picks back.
Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean, who missed all of training camp with a hamstring injury, will do some individual drills during a joint practice with the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
“He’s making good progress,” Sirianni said.
DeJean, the 40th pick in April’s draft, sustained the injury when he got into an awkward position during offseason workouts, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. He began training camp on the Non-Football Injury List (NFI).
Receiver Parris Campbell, a candidate for the No. 3 wide receiver spot entering training camp, will also participate in individual drills after missing more than a week with a groin injury.
DeJean appeared to rise up the ranks this spring and was considered an option for the starting nickelback spot. Fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell has since gained first-team experience and could get the job, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said, citing having the best personnel group on the field.
The other spot up for grabs is right cornerback. The duties have so far been split between Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo.
“When (DeJean) comes back, it’s not going to be, ‘OK, he’s back like nothing ever happened to him,'” Fangio said last week when asked if DeJean’s return would create some kind of domino effect in the secondary. “I’m sure the guys down there will have rep restrictions and practice restrictions on him. So it’s going to depend on where he is and how he’s doing.”
Joe Theismann pleased with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ NFL debut – Bryan Manning, USA Today
Washington’s legendary quarterback expresses his confidence in the rookie.
Daniels actually played and started in Washington’s first game against the New York Jets. He played one series and completed two of his three passes for 45 yards, including a 42-yard pass to Dyami Brown, and ran for a touchdown before starting.
Things couldn’t have gone much better for Daniels.
What did Theismann think now that he had played?
“I had a chance to see what Jayden did, and it’s unbelievable that we got all the hype, knew he had to be the pick, had the Heisman Trophy and the way he played ball and everything we saw leading up to that football game — and on the road in New York, which is a different experience, he comes out and does some really, really special stuff, and you basically want to say, as advertised,” Theismann said on Monday’s episode of BMitch & Finlay on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, DC. about Lou DiPietro from Audacy.
“It’s a very small sample size, but I think it’s enough to get us excited about his abilities and it’s a small indication of what Kliff Kingsbury wants to accomplish with this offense.”
Daniels was impressive, but he doesn’t have time to reflect on the past week. This Thursday, the Commanders head south to Miami for a joint practice with the Dolphins, followed by their second preseason game on Saturday.
Controversial Giants first-round pick delivers perfect quote on role after injury – Kevin Hickey, SportingNews.com
Due to injuries and difficulties on the field, Evan Neal has to earn his place in the starting lineup again.
New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal must earn his way back into the starting lineup.
The former first-round pick has had a difficult start to his career since being selected No. 7 in the 2022 NFL Draft. Due to injuries and poor play, the Giants have not gotten much for their investment.
Since Neal was activated from the PUP list this week, he will slowly ease back into practice. As for his role in returning to full practice, it remains to be seen what the Giants have planned.
Whatever that role may be, Neal gave reporters the perfect answer on Sunday.
“Whatever role the team has for me, I’m going to take it,” Neal said. “Whether I’m in the starting lineup or not, I’m here to contribute to the team and I’m going to do everything in my power to do that.”
Neal’s humility in potentially taking on the role of swing tackle could serve him well. When players come to the club with such high expectations and then fail to meet them, it can doom them for the rest of their careers.
“I don’t deserve anything, and I can’t feel like I deserve anything. I just want what I work for,” Neal said.
In Neal’s absence, the Giants have used experienced Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, even though the veteran worked as a left guard in the spring. But using Eluemunor at the outside position is probably the right move.
It’s unlikely that Neal will move to the interior, but it would be interesting to see him work as a guard.
Either way, Neal will likely have to work his way back into a starting position once he returns, but it’s encouraging to see him developing a team-first mentality despite all the adversity.
