Philadelphia Eagles open 2024 training camp with Super Bowl hopes, but a Nakobe Dean injury casts a shadow. Can Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley lead the charge?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over, Birds fans! Football is officially back in Philadelphia. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles took the field at the NovaCare Complex Wednesday for their first training camp workout, and the energy was electric. Fans lined up early, Jordan Mailata was his usual charming self with the crowd, and the message from Head Coach Nick Sirianni was clear: the focus is on a repeat. But as the familiar sounds of cleats on grass filled the air, a cloud of injury concern cast a slight shadow over the proceedings.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to a knee injury.
You could feel the championship buzz on Day 1. A.J. Brown signed autographs, fans roared, and the core of a title-winning roster looked ready to run it back. Sirianni's opening press conference set a tone of focused intensity, not complacency. The excitement is built around an offense that looks even more formidable with the addition of Saquon Barkley alongside Jalen Hurts. However, the celebration was tempered by a significant piece of news from the medical tent. The team officially announced that linebacker and defensive signal-caller Nakobe Dean has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to start camp, a major blow to the heart of the defense.
Dean's knee injury sidelining him is the biggest worry, as his status for the Week 1 opener against Dallas is now in serious doubt. Until he's medically cleared, he can't practice, leaving a major void in leadership and playmaking. Unfortunately, he's not the only one on the mend. A concerning number of key players are starting camp with a 'questionable' tag for the season opener, including Nolan Smith (triceps), Byron Young (hamstring), and Jihaad Campbell (shoulder). The defensive side of the ball, which was a strength last season, is suddenly the team's biggest question mark.
While the defense works to get healthy, the offense looks ready to carry the load. All eyes were on Jalen Hurts and new weapon Saquon Barkley, who are expected to form one of the most dynamic backfields in the entire league. With DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown on the outside, the firepower is undeniable. The offensive line, the engine of the team, is also dealing with some early camp ailments, with Landon Dickerson (knee) and Cam Jurgens (back) on the watch list, but the overall outlook for this unit remains incredibly bright. Expect them to put up points in bunches.
It's always a good time to check in on the rivals, and it seems the Eagles aren't the only NFC East team dealing with preseason problems. The Dallas Cowboys are facing significant issues of their own. Star cornerback Trevon Diggs also started camp on the PUP list, and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is expected to be out until November. To make matters worse, their best player, Micah Parsons, is sitting out of practice with what's being called 'back soreness' amid his desire for a new contract. While you never wish for injuries, these developments could certainly level the playing field in the division race.
Day one is in the books, and the journey to defend the Lombardi Trophy has begun. The story of this training camp is clear: can the defense get healthy in time for a brutal Week 1 showdown with Dallas? The offense has the star power to win games on its own, but a championship repeat will require contributions from all phases. For now, we watch, we wait, and we hope the injury report starts shrinking. Go Birds!
