Eagles’ linebacker Shaquille Leonard switches jersey number ahead of debut vs. Cowboys

After practicing in the No. 50, Shaquille Leonard has switched to jersey number 53 after Christian Elliss was waived and claimed by the Patriots

The Eagles have a former All-Pro linebacker on the roster, adding the versatile Shaquille Leonard to the roster after he chose Philadelphia over Dallas.

Leonard is preparing to take the field for his third practice with the team, and he’s switched jersey number.

After initially being assigned the No. 50, Leonard is switching to No. 53 after Christian Elliss was waived.

Leonard will likely start opposite Zach Cunningham, and the duo should help alleviate the lack of communication witnessed in the Eagles’ 42-19 loss to the 49ers.

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Eagles slot CB Avonte Maddox out indefinitely after surgery for torn pectoral muscle

The Philadelphia #Eagles will be without Avonte Maddox for an indefinite amount of time and it could be season ending after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to be without Avonte Maddox indefinitely.

It could be season-ending after the cornerback suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the win over Minnesota.

Maddox had two tackles in the win over Minnesota, and Mario Goodrich or James Bradberry could slide inside for Sean Desai’s unit.

Last season, Maddox had 43 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, three passes defended and one interception.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Maddox has played six seasons for the Eagles, amassing 188 solo tackles, 58 assists, 3.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four interceptions.

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Brandon Graham joins other Eagles in raving about work ethic of Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith

Brandon Graham joinsJosh Sweat as the latest #Eagles player to rave about the work ethic of Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith saying this about the University of Georgia players: “Them boys, They work”

It is hard to miss on draft picks when you land known commodity, and the Eagles hit the jackpot when they landed Georgia teammates Jalen Carter (9th) and Nolan Smith (30th) in the first round of April’s NFL draft.

Carter, a generational talent, and Smith, a steady force of nature, helped the Bulldogs win three straight New Year’s Six Bowls, an SEC Championship, and back-to-back national Championships.

Players from Alabama and Georgia are a different breed anyway, so it shouldn’t be a shock when their top NFL draft prospects transition smoothly to the NFL.

Carter and Smith have been in Philadelphia for a few months.

Still, the two former All-Americans have already absorbed the work ethic and professionalism the Eagles are accustomed to exuding.

Following the season’s first practice, Brandon Graham joined Josh Sweat in raving about Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter.

After missing on draft picks, the Eagles retooled their draft strategy, purposely focusing on SEC players or guys from the big two of Alabama and Georgia.

With the addition of Carter, Smith, and Kelee Ringo, Philadelphia now has five Bulldog defenders on the roster.

At Georgia, the most recent trio of players won back-to-back national championships and the first title with Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean.

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Eagles training camp start date announced for rookies and veterans

Philadelphia Eagles training camp report and start date announced for 2023 rookies and veterans

The 2023 NFL season is quickly approaching, and that means the start of training camp for all 32 teams around the league.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced training camp reporting dates and Philadelphia is one of seven teams that’ll have rookies and veterans all reporting on the same day.

For the Eagles, July 25 marks the spot, as the Birds will return to the NovaCare Complex for training camp across the street from their home stadium.

The team has already announced the date for this year’s open training camp practice, set for August 6 at Lincoln Financial Field.

Fans can purchase public practice general admission tickets for $10 by visiting Ticketmaster.com. There will also be an option to purchase a $35 VIP ticket that will provide fans with a special on-field experience before the start of practice. All ticket proceeds for the public course will benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation and its mission to fund innovative autism research and care programs.

Seating at Lincoln Financial Field will be on a first-come, first-served basis. All individuals over the age of 2 will require an entry ticket. There are no ticket limitations per customer, and parking will be free.

Philadelphia will play the host for joint practices with the Browns and Colts in consecutive weeks to close out the preseason.

Best photos from the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 offseason program, OTAs

We’re looking at the top photos from the Philadelphia Eagles offseason workout program, rookie minicamp and OTAs

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The Philadelphia Eagles concluded their offseason program with six OTA sessions earlier this month at the NovaCare Complex, ahead of training camp in late July.

The Birds were the one team to not hold a mandatory minicamp, continuing with the three year trend of light offseason workouts.

As the Eagles head into their summer break, here’s a look at the best photos from their 2023 offseason program — from rookie minicamp to OTAs to mandatory minicamp.

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1 takeaway from each Eagles position group after the offseason workout program

We’re looking at one takeaway from each of the Philadelphia Eagles position groups after OTAs and ahead of training camp

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Philadelphia has a loaded roster, but there are burning questions at every position ahead of training camp.

Offseason workouts and OTAs offered an opportunity for new additions and seven 2023 NFL draft picks to get fully acquainted with the Eagles’ culture.

There were position switches, a newly paid franchise quarterback, and star power at about every position.

With a little less than a month remaining until training camp, we’re looking at one takeaway from each position group.

Nick Sirianni raves about Jalen Hurts’ continued improvement with accuracy and decision making

Nick Sirianni says Jalen Hurts has reach another level with his accuracy and decision making during offseason workouts

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The Eagles completed their off-season workout program on Thursday. As the team breaks until late July, star quarterback Jalen Hurts will likely remain a constant fixture at the NovaCare Complex.

The All-Pro quarterback has seen his hunger for success grow since losing the Super Bowl to Patrick Mahomes and signing a new five-year, $255 million extension.

During his final offseason press conference, head coach Nick Sirianni raved about Hurts and his continued improvement.

Sirianni went even more in-depth about the MVP runner-up.

“I do, I see another jump in everything that he’s done with accuracy, with the decision making. We’re doing 7-on-7, so there is no rush, so there’s no pass rush except for the guys that are walking at him with the bags. But [Assistant Equipment Manager] Peter [Gould], our equipment manager, is not going to make a sack on him in that particular case.”

“But I do see his development continuing. That’s what we talk about with Jalen all the time. I don’t know what his ceiling is because he just keeps getting better, and he’s going to continue to do that.”

“So, I’ve seen that same jump, the speed with which he makes the decision, the accuracy of his throws. He’s really had a good spring.”

Hurts took a significant leap as a passer in 2022, rising from 19th (54.6) to fourth (66.4) in QBR and 26th (61.3%) to 11th (66.5%) in completion percentage.

Hurts saw his average time before throw drop from 3.12 seconds (31st) to 2.76 seconds (16th) on average, and the Eagles believe he can reach an elite level in 2023.

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Eagles OTAs: Notes, videos, highlights from final practice

We’re looking at the notes, videos and highlights from the Philadelphia Eagles final OTA practice

Philadelphia had the lightest workload of all 32 NFL teams, and they wrapped up the offseason workouts and OTAs with an inspring final practice inside the bubble at the NovaCare Complex.

The Eagles head coach says he’s been impressed with the growing fundamentals of his young guys and veterans.

“I think you just see the fundamentals continuing to grow. That’s from the guys that just got here, the fundamentals of what we’re trying to look like, but then just how much better, too, the guys that have been here are with their fundamentals. They just keep getting better. That’s just our message. That’s what we strive to do is to get better every day, and you’re really seeing that a lot of our players, that their fundamentals are really improving. One reason is because they’re really working hard at it, and two, we’re devoting a lot of time to it in our individual phases of OTAs.”

The Eagles will now break until a late July training camp and with the offseason work complete, here’s notes, video and highlights from the final day of OTAs.

Eagles move final OTA practice indoors as city of Philadelphia deals with poor air quality

The Eagles will practice indoors today for their sixth and final OTA of the summer as the city of Philadelphia now has worst air quality compared to all major cities

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The Eagles will practice indoors today for their sixth and final OTA (and end of the offseason program) as the east coast deals with poor air quality.

According to CBS News, Philadelphia now has the worst air quality of any major city in the world as smoke from wildfires in Canada is moving through the region.

Canada’s most hazardous smoke moved through the Philadelphia area from Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.

According to AirNow.com’s Air Quality Index, Philadelphia is currently at 447. The air particles are considered “hazardous” at 300. Everyone is likely to be affected due to the hazardous quality of the air.

The Lehigh Valley ranks as the second worst air quality with 419, while Susquehanna Valley ranks third. Across the river in New Jersey, Monmouth, parts of Burlington and Ocean Counties are also experiencing harmful conditions.

Some rain is expected on Thursday or Friday, but no major storms are expected, and the air quality should improve by Friday.

The Eagles will now break until late July, when training camp begins.

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Terrell Edmunds gives some insight into the challenges of learning new Eagles’ defense

Terrell Edmunds says learning new Eagles’ defense has been challenging

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The Eagles added more discipline to the safety position this offseason, adding former Steeler Terrell Edmunds to the roster.

Edmunds and Justin Evans were signed after the free agent losses of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps.

During a recent media session after OTAs, Edmunds gave some insight into the unique challenges that come with learning a new system.

“It’s going well,” Edmunds said at minicamp last week. “It’s still continuing to develop, continuing to learn the playbook, continuing to mesh with my teammates. Get familiarized with everyone, and just compete, keep on working.

“We got a long ways to go, but we’re still working together, and we’re trying to come together.”

Edmunds spent the first five seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while he’s not a star like Minkah Fitzpatrick, he’s a steady and intelligent playmaker who’ll bring versatility to the position.

“That’s why I said there’s a long way to go,” Edmunds said on the transition. “Just because you’re learning new faces, you’re learning new names, you’re learning new calls. But I think everything is coming together well.

“We got a great group of guys in the DB room. We got some great coaches. And we’re all just working together, trying to help each other compete every day, and trying to make each other better.”

During his final season in Pittsburgh, Edmunds logged 70 tackles and two sacks in 15 games with five passes defended — and should lock down one of the starting safety spots in Sean Desai’s defense.

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