On Day 4 of Eagles camp, Jalen Carter returns to practice, DeVonta Smith absent

Monday was Carter's first practice of camp

By Reuben Frank • Published July 28, 2025

Jalen Carter, the Eagles’ all-pro interior defensive lineman, returned to practice Monday, but receiver DeVonta Smith was absent.

Carter, who made the Pro Bowl and second-team all-pro last year in his second season, suffered a shoulder injury at some point before the start of camp last Wednesday and missed the first three practices. So Monday was the first time he’s been out there since OTAs in the spring. The Eagles listed him as limited.

"He’ll be out there today,” Nick Sirianni said before practice. "I look forward to having him out there today.”

Carter was out on the field watching for most of the first three practices and even jumped in with his defensive teammates on some of their sprints to the end zone after certain reps. 

The Eagles aren’t particularly deep at defensive tackle, so with Carter out, Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis worked with the first defense inside. Other interior linemen on the roster are Ty Robinson, Thomas Booker, Jacob Sykes, Byron Young and Gabe Hall.

As for Smith, he was sitting out Monday morning with what the Eagles are calling back tightness. That’s a good opportunity for WR3 Jahan Dotson to get more work with Jalen Hurts and the first offense.

Also out Monday was rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, who has been competing with Sydney Brown for a starting safety spot. Mukuba suffered a shoulder injury at the end of practice on Saturday.

Any missed practice time is a setback for a rookie, especially one competing for a starting spot. No word how much time he’s expected to miss. Pads are due to go on Tuesday.

"We have to be creative with how we do some different things,” Sirianni said. "We’ll look at walkthroughs as a big opportunity, extra meetings. It’s our job to make sure anybody who misses time, that they recoup those reps somehow, someway. And when they can’t do it physically, it’s got to be mentally in the film room and walkthroughs.”

Also out Monday were receiver Danny Gray (finger) and linebacker Smael Mondon (illness).

Also listed as limited were rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), although he’s been virtually a full participant so far, as well as guard Kenyon Green (knee) and center Cam Jurgens (back).

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/jalen-carter-returns-to-practice-at-eagles-training-camp-devonta-smith-absent/676768/