Britain Covey. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Two players to watch in Eagles' second preseason game

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Aug 13, 2024 8:09 PM ET

After an energetic joint practice on Tuesday, the Eagles and Patriots will each play their second preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night. Here are two players from Philadelphia to keep an eye on.

WR Britain Covey

The Eagles have been trying to find a legitimate No.3 receiver since Nick Sirianni took over as head coach in 2021. Players like Julio Jones, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus have all come and gone leaving the team vulnerable behind starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

New addition Parris Campbell seemed destined for the job, but he’s been dealing with a groin issue in camp. Covey caught all of his team-high four targets for 25 yards against the Ravens on Friday and according to Jimmy Kempski of phillyvoice.com, he saw the third-most snaps (38) among wide receivers.

Covey has just four catches for 42 yards in two seasons with the team, but led the league with 417 yards on punt returns last season and has been making a case to become the team’s third receiver.

Britain Covey has had a great camp so far

Says he watched lots of tape of Cole Beasley this offseason and the role he played in Kellen Moore’s offense

Jalen Hurts came up to Covey and said he trusts him: pic.twitter.com/ofRVNYe3lL
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 30, 2024

According to multiple reports, the 27-year-old split most of the WR3 reps with rookie Johnny Wilson in Tuesday’s joint practice and has been catching everything in camp. Last week, he beat teammate Avonte Maddox for a long completion in practice and per Dave Zangaro of nbcsportsphiladelphia.com, used a stutter step to run by Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden on Tuesday.

LB Nakobe Dean

Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Devin White are all listed as starting linebackers on Philadelphia’s unofficial depth chart. But on Tuesday, Dean got first-team reps to start practice.

Previously, White and Baun started each practice with the first team. Later, Dean played next to Baun with the starters, which speaks to the progress he’s making under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

As a rookie, Dean played only 3 percent of the team's defensive snaps in 2022 and missed 12 games with an ankle injury last season. On Tuesday, Dean reached Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett on a blitz and broke up a pass intended for tight end Austin Hooper in the end zone, allowing Baun to make the interception.

Philadelphia had high hopes for Dean when it drafted him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s been a struggle so far, but a strong performance on Thursday night can only help the former Butkus Award winner.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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