Eagles Notebook: Health trending up as Birds eye Bucs

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PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles got a dose of good news Thursday as several banged-up regulars returned to practice ahead of Sunday's road test in Tampa Bay.

Right tackle Lane Johnson was a full participant after exiting last week against the Rams with a neck stinger and sitting out Wednesday's session. Rookie running back Will Shipley (oblique) practiced fully for the second straight day.

Defensively, linebacker Zack Baun (knee), rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell (triceps) and cornerback Adoree' Jackson (groin) were all back in limited roles.

"It's encouraging to have guys trending the right way," coach Nick Sirianni said. "Especially this time of year, you want to get through practice with momentum and have your best players ready to go."

Backup quarterback Tanner McKee (right thumb) was also limited again.

While the Eagles' passing attack finally clicked in the second half of last week's comeback win, the run game has lagged behind. Through three games, the Birds rank 21st in the NFL at 3.8 yards per carry and have only two rushing touchdowns.

Asked what's holding the ground game back, Sirianni pointed to execution more than scheme.

"I wouldn't say there's one particular thing," he said. "We know we've got to be more efficient with how we coach it, with how we call it, and with how we execute it."

Saquon Barkley has handled most of the work, but defenses have loaded up to slow him. Sirianni said the passing surge -- including Jalen Hurts' 33-yard strike to Dallas Goedert and a 38-yard hookup with A.J. Brown against Los Angeles -- could loosen things up for Barkley.

"When you give a little on one end, you're going to give up a little bit, and vice versa," Sirianni said. "We always want to be in attack mode as an offense."

Opponents have sent extra rushers at Hurts at one of the league's highest rates. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Hurts has faced blitz pressure on 36% of his dropbacks, sixth-most in the league.

Sirianni believes his quarterback has responded well.

"There are always different options with that, and I think we've done a good job so far with it," Sirianni said. "I think Jalen has shown he's continuing to develop and become better and better at handling it."

The coach pointed to Hurts' connection with DeVonta Smith against Kansas City in Week 2 and the touchdown pass to Goedert last Sunday as "big-time plays with some pressures."

"You make those plays and you don't stop seeing it until you make those plays," Sirianni said.

Fourth-year defensive tackle Jordan Davis has emerged as a force. Davis has 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and a returned block kick for a touchdown in three games, anchoring a defense that ranks seventh in red-zone touchdown percentage allowed (40%).

"This is what I do it for, the guys," said Davis, who came to camp in the best shape of his life. "When it was told to me that my role was going to be higher this year, I knew I had to get in the preparation of being on the field. ... My biggest motivation is I don't want to let the guys down. ... You keep working and keep working, and when the lights come on, you'll be prepared for that."

Sirianni said Davis' growth has been gradual but steady.

"Everybody wants instant gratification. That's just not the reality of the sport," Sirianni said. "Jordan's put a lot of work into it, played in meaningful games, and gone against really good players in practice. He's tough, he loves football, and he's continuing to get better."

The Buccaneers (3-0), who have beaten Atlanta, Houston and the Jets, are 4-1 against Sirianni in his time with the Eagles.

"Dating back to 2021, they've gotten us a few times," Sirianni said. "Another team kind of like the Chiefs, where we've played them a bunch the past five years. They know how to win."

The coach singled out Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, defensive tackle Vita Vea, linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as difference-makers.

"Coach (Todd) Bowles always presents problems," Sirianni said. "His teams play with great fundamentals and detail. There's a reason they keep winning their division."

The Eagles were scheduled to fly to Tampa a day early, leaving Friday after practice to acclimate to the Florida heat. The Buccaneers put a 33-16 thumping on the Birds in sweltering conditions a year ago.

"Everything we do is about making sure our process is right to give ourselves the best chance to win," Sirianni said. "Get out there a day earlier, one less day off the plane before you play. That was part of our offseason study."

NOTES: Sirianni brushed off speculation about reuniting with free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, released by Houston this week, noting the team's faith in its current group. "I'm really excited about the room we have," Sirianni said. He highlighted rookie Andrew Mukuba's progress, Reed Blankenship's steadying presence and contributions from Sydney Brown on both defense and special teams. ... The Eagles have a plus-2 turnover margin, which is tied for 8th in the NFL with the Bucs. ... The Birds are averaging 146.7 passing yards per game (29th) and 122.0 rushing yards (14th). They score 25.7 points per game (8th in the NFL) and allow 21 (15th).