It can be hard walking in the footsteps of a legend, a path that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. knows well.
The younger Trotter, chosen in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, was primarily a special teams contributor for the Super Bowl champion Eagles, as a rookie. However, Trotter Jr. begins his second training camp aiming to carve out his own legacy, on defense, as his father did on his way to becoming a member of the franchise’s ring of honor.
With linebacker Nakobe Dean sidelined for the start of training camp, Trotter Jr. has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of those valuable practice reps, as the former Clemson standout aims to make a strong enough impression on the coaching staff that he’s capable of contributing meaningful snaps on defense this upcoming season.
“I’ve been through the Training Camp, I’ve been through the season, and I know how it’s supposed to look and the type of routine you have to get into,” Trotter Jr. told the team’s official website. “I thank God for experiencing that so I can get ready for Year 2.”
Eagles’ Sydney Brown Embracing Safety Competition
Michael DeMocker | Getty Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown is pushing for a starting job this summer, at a wide open position.
While the backbone of the Eagles’ run to a Super Bowl championship in 2024 was its defensive front, Philadelphia’s secondary enters the 2025 campaign in a bit of a state of transition.
After trading veteran C.J. Gardner Johnson to the Houston Texans this offseason, the Eagles are barreling towards a duo of Reed Blankenship alongside some combination of Cooper DeJean, rookie Andrew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum or Lewis Cine against the Dallas Cowboys when the regular season opens.
Brown is embracing the opportunity and the competition for snaps and a starting role.
“I’m just embracing the competition, embracing camp,” Brown said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I love this game, you know? Just to be out here every day is an opportunity.
“The competition has been amazing. I love our safety room and I think that’s what we’ve embraced since I’ve got here. We embraced the competition when I came in as a rookie and we embraced it last year and this year is no different.”
Barring an addition via a trade or waiver wire pickup later this summer, it could come down to Brown or Makuba as the Eagles’ No. 2 safety.
Brown enters his third season with 52 tackles through his first 25 career games, along with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, five pass breakups, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Battle tested and with a ring on his finger, Brown says he understands what it takes to not only emerge from this summer’s competition with a marquee role in tow but to be a meaningful contributor on one of the league’s top defenses.
“This time last year I was just standing in the end zone trying to take mental reps,” Brown said. “It’s just not the same.
“The difference between doing that and actually being on the field, it’s two different games. I’m a guy that needs to be in the game, learn from my mistakes, get better each and every day from being inside the scheme. I feel like I’m doing that now.”
Eagles Practice Injury Updates
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith.
As Eagles training camp rounds into its second week, three key players are dealing with injuries.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith did not practice Monday due to back tightness, Mukuba was sidelined due to a shoulder injury, and defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a limited participant while still dealing with a shoulder injury.
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