Eagles training camp: Best stories from Philadelphia’s first practice

COVID casts a small shadow over what was, otherwise, a very good day of practice.

Continued care in everyone’s attempts to limit the possibility of their exposure to COVID-19 will be as key to how 2022 plays out as it has been to determine the course of the past two seasons. Thankfully, we’ve advanced, and things, for the most part, are pretty close to normal again. Still, everyone has a responsibility to protect themselves and others.

Zach Pascal sat out of practice due to an undisclosed illness, but four other Birds (Jason Kelce, Keric Wheatfall, Fletcher Cox, and Anthony Harris) were either limited or unable to compete due to some of the lingering effects of a bout with Coronavirus.

Cam Jurgens takes first-team reps as Jason Kelce sits

Jason Kelce‘s absence meant rookie second-rounder Cam Jurgens took first-team snaps as the anchor of the offensive line. There’s an old saying that references fewer mentions of offensive linemen being a good thing. Typically, if we say their names too often, that’s often been because they’ve done something wrong,

With that being said, there were no botched exchanges or fumbles during the second it takes the center to get the ball to his quarterback, so from the outside looking in, it stands to reason that Cam can be given a passing grade for his first day at practice. There were no disasters.

He isn’t Jason Kelce yet. Still, everyone can rest easy.