Dallas City News

Eagles rookie DB Cooper DeJean (hamstring) joins practice – Tim McManus, ESPN

The Eagles are finally getting one of their important draft picks back.

Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni said that Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean, sidelined all of camp with a hamstring injury, will do some individual work during the team’s joint practice with the New England Patriots on Tuesday.

“He’s progressing nicely,” Sirianni said.

DeJean, the 40th overall pick in April’s draft, sustained the injury when he was caught in an awkward position during offseason training, 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 heading into training camp, will also participate in individual drills after missing over a week with a groin injury.

DeJean appeared to be climbing up the depth chart this spring and was thought to be an option for the starting nickel job. Fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell has since garnered first-team reps in the slot and may end up landing the job, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio suggested, in the name of getting the best personnel grouping on the field.

The other spot up for grabs is right cornerback. The duties to this point have 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 whether DeJean’s return will create any kind of domino effect in the secondary. “I’m sure the guys downstairs will have rep limitations on him, practice limitations. So, it will be dependent upon where he is at and how he’s doing.”

Joe Theismann pleased with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ NFL debut – Bryan Manning, USA Today

Washington’s legendary QB express his belief in the rookie.

Daniels did play, starting Washington’s preseason opener against the New York Jets. He played one series and completed two of his three passes for 45 yards, including a 42-yard strike to Dyami Brown, and ran for a touchdown before starting.

Things could not have gone much better for Daniels.

Now that he did play, what did Theismann think?

“I had a chance to see what Jayden did, and it’s incredible that we get all the hype, knew he had to be the pick, had the Heisman trophy, and the way he played ball and everything that we’ve seen going up until this football game – and on the road in New York, which is a different experience, he comes out and he does some really, really special stuff, and you basically want to say to yourself as advertised,” Theismann said on Monday’s episode of BMitch & Finlay on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C, via Lou DiPietro of Audacy.

“A very small sample, but I think it’s enough to get us excited about his ability, and it’s a little bit of an indicator of what Kliff Kingsbury wants to do with this offense.”

Daniels was impressive, but he doesn’t have time to think about last week. This Thursday, the Commanders head south to Miami for a joint practice with the Dolphins, followed by their second preseason game on Saturday.

Giants’ embattled first-round pick gives perfect quote on role after injury – Kevin Hickey, SportingNews.com

Injuries and on-field struggles mean Evan Neal will have to earn his starting role again.

New York Giants offensive tackle Evan Neal is going to have to earn his way back into the starting lineup.

The former first-round pick has had an embattled start to his career since being the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Between injuries and poor play, the Giants haven’t gotten much of a return on their investment.

As Neal was removed from the PUP list this week, he will begin ramping things up slowly. As for his role when he returns to full practices, what the Giants have planned remains to be seen.

Whatever that role is, Neal gave the perfect answer to reporters Sunday.

“Whatever role that the team has for me, I’m going to embrace it,” Neal said. “So, whether that’s starting or not starting, I’m here to contribute to the team, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do so.”

Neal’s humility in potentially taking a swing tackle role might do him some good. Coming in with such high expectations and then failing to live up to them can doom players for the rest of their careers.

“I’m not owed anything, and I can’t feel like I deserve anything. All I want is what I work for,” Neal said.

In Neal’s absence, the Giants have employed veteran Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle. This is despite the veteran working at left guard in the spring. But it’s probably the right move to have Eluemunor on the edge.

It’s unlikely Neal will make a switch to the interior, but it would be interesting to see him work at guard.

Either way, Neal will likely have to work his way back into a starting role once he returns. But it’s encouraging to see him take a team-first mindset despite the adversity.