Don’t call it a potential breakout season for Jalyx Hunt.
Hunt, the 2024 third-round outside linebacker out of Houston Christian, has been one of the standout defensive players in training camp due to his consistent disruption off the edge. His performance in joint practices against the New England Patriots, which included a diving interception of Drake Maye, provided more evidence of his stellar summer ahead of his third season with the Eagles.
But Hunt isn’t all that fond of the “breakout” label for any player who is putting in the work behind the scenes, let alone himself.
“I feel like to say ‘breakout’ is not disrespectful to any player, but the amount of work that the athletes on the field, whether it be practice squad, whether it be rotational guys, whether it be starters, the amount of work they put in … it’s no surprise when someone is able to make plays or to do anything like that,” Hunt said Monday.
After all, there’s an argument to be made that Hunt has already broken out.
In his second season with the Eagles last year, the 25-year-old outside linebacker led the team in sacks with 6½, a dramatic increase over his rookie year output of 1½. His 16.5% pressure rate was the highest among all Eagles outside linebackers, too, according to Next Gen Stats.
Hunt said he has always known that he was capable of the production. The general public is just catching up with his potential.
“Last year was just a reflection of the work I put in,” Hunt said. “So I don’t think there’s any type of breakout. I think it’s just me and y’all are starting to see the type of plays I can make and the type of player I would like to be.”
Jalyx Hunt’s play in his second NFL season was a revelation, one he’s seeking to build on. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Hunt could have plenty of opportunities to make more plays when the season begins. Jonathan Greenard has been sidelined for all of training camp with a pectoral muscle strain. Vic Fangio said on Aug. 19 that he didn’t know when Greenard would be back, casting some uncertainty about his availability for the season opener against the Washington Commanders in three weeks.
Greenard was sidelined during the offseason program, too, as he recovered from shoulder surgery earlier this year. At the time, Fangio didn’t seem too concerned about his ability to get up to speed in a new defense given his veteran status.
Still, if Greenard is sidelined for Week 1 or if he is on a snap count, that could mean more reps for the rest of the room, especially Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. Even in training camp, Hunt is taking advantage of those additional opportunities, whether he’s going up in practice against Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata or Patriots tackle Will Campbell.
He was especially grateful to get away from Johnson and Mailata for two practices last week.
“In a very respectful way,” Hunt said. “They’re just really good at their craft, so it’s nice to go against people who are stronger in other areas, make me work different moves and different tendencies, and try to dissect the rush as I go along in the game.”
Hunt is learning from his fellow Eagles teammates on defense, too. No longer the least experienced player among the edge rusher corps, he still relies on the entire room for input, and vice versa. The group feeds off of one another, he said, regardless of age or experience.
Jalyx Hunt (58) has explicitly credited teammate Zack Baun (53) in helping to fuel his growth. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
That culture goes beyond the edge rusher room. Hunt said he has looked to Zack Baun for inspiration since both players arrived in Philadelphia in 2024. Baun had signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after spending four years with the New Orleans Saints primarily as a core special teams player.
But Hunt quickly picked up on Baun’s hardworking nature in training camp that year as he catapulted himself from a relatively unknown depth defender to an All-Pro inside linebacker and starter on a Super Bowl-winning defense.
Baun had put in the work early on, and when he earned his opportunity, he never gave it up.
“He became Zack Baun, the Bald Eagle, the superhero, the captain at the helm,” Hunt said. “So I learned that from him, too. You just have to keep putting in the work, and then when you’re put in those positions, your work will come through.”
Hunt is laying the groundwork with the aspiration of following the same trajectory as Baun. His progress in Year 3 is promising. Hunt has taken up residence in the backfield this training camp, but that isn’t a surprise to the outside linebacker given his work ethic.
Come Week 1, he will have an opportunity to replicate that performance in the regular season. He knows what he is capable of achieving, even if everyone else outside of the Jefferson Health Training Complex is just taking notice.
“I don’t think there’s any type of breakout,” Hunt said. “I think it’s just me and y’all are starting to see the type of plays I can make and the type of player I would like to be.”
SEATTLE — Six weeks after the Phillies lost their primary eighth-inning reliever for the season, five weeks before the playoffs, the bridge to Jhoan Duran is taking shape.
And Brooks Raley is emerging as the top lefty.
“Brooks has been easy to trust,” Don Mattingly said as the Phillies continued their West Coast trip here Tuesday. “He’s throwing strikes. He’s not walking people, all that. So, yeah, he’s easy to trust.”
Mattingly’s word choice was notable because, this time of year, there’s only one question for a manager as it relates to the composition of the bullpen: Who do you trust?
The Phillies tweaked the bullpen in the offseason. But their most expensive addition, Brad Keller, had Tommy John elbow surgery last month. Jonathan Bowlan has outkicked expectations. But holdovers Kerkering and Alvarado have been inconsistent.
So, as the Phillies attempt to cement a wild-card spot and close in on the division-leading Braves, the bullpen is coming into focus again, with relievers jockeying for position behind Duran in Mattingly’s circle of trust.
Hard-throwing Phillies rookie reliever Alex McFarlane has pitched well since returning from triple A.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Here’s what we know: Raley is earning more late-inning chances after being acquired in a deadline trade with the rival Mets. But hard-throwing rookie Alex McFarlane isn’t quite there yet.
Let’s start with Raley. After giving up a pair of two-out runs in his Phillies debut on Aug. 5, the 38-year-old lefty has allowed one run on three hits and a walk in six innings over his last seven appearances.
And with Duran unavailable last Tuesday night, Raley picked up his first save since 2023 in a 6-4 victory over the Marlins.
“He’s given up some hits, but I feel like he’s going to make pitches,” Mattingly said. “He’s not going to panic.”
There isn’t a more essential trait in October. Raley has appeared in 15 postseason games, mostly with the Astros, and has a 4.73 ERA that was inflated by a three-run outburst in Game 3 of the 2021 American League division series. He allowed two runs in his last 7⅓ postseason innings.
Raley also has a track record against some of the most dangerous left-handed hitters in the National League. Shohei Ohtani, for instance, is 1-for-7 with three walks and a .506 OPS against him. Freddie Freeman is 1-for-6; Pete Crow-Armstrong and Max Muncy are both 1-for-4 with a walk; Christian Yelich is 1-for-4 with three strikeouts.
And with Alvarado struggling (five earned runs in his last five appearances), Raley appears to be Mattingly’s lefty of choice with a late lead.
Phillies reliever Jonathan Bowlan has a 2.89 ERA in 49 appearances.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
From the right side, Bowlan moved into the setup role vacated by Keller. But Mattingly has leaned hard on him and Kerkering, who appears to be catching a second wind after struggling to throw strikes for a stretch in late July.
The Phillies have given McFarlane some higher-leverage tests since recalling him from triple A two weeks ago. The 25-year-old righty has uncorked 32 pitches that reached at least 100 mph, with his fastball averaging 99.9.
But he also has given up three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks in seven innings.
“I think he’s been good. He’s been fine,” Mattingly said. “But there’s no reason to have to push him forward. … He’s been easy to trust when I don’t have another righty out there. I trust him in right-handed pockets. I don’t put him in Bowlan’s category yet, or even Kerk’s. But I do put him in the category of like, if you match him up in the right pocket.”
Mattingly’s level of trust figures to rise as McFarlane’s command improves. He hasn’t issued a walk in his last three appearances after walking the leadoff batter in each of his previous three.
“We talked about the walks earlier with him,” Mattingly said. “He’s thrown strikes for the most part. I think he’s a tough at-bat, especially on the righty, with the combination of his movement and velo. Just the velo, in general.
“The more specific he gets over time with his breaking ball, the fastball, not just throwing it but getting it to an area of the plate. Being able to use both fastballs, the sink and the run straight [four-seamer], those are going to kind of dictate how good he becomes.”
Every appearance is an audition for a larger role. And the auditions will continue for another month.
Extra bases
With a third-inning single Monday night, Bryce Harper became the 34th player to record 1,000 hits with the Phillies. He has 1,922 hits overall, seventh-most among active players behind Freeman, José Altuve, Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt, Manny Machado, and Nolan Arenado. … Aaron Nola (5-9, 5.12 ERA) is lined up to start Tuesday night against Mariners righty George Kirby (8-10, 4.18). The series wraps up Wednesday with Jesús Luzardo (11-5, 3.35) set to face Mariners righty Bryan Woo (9-8, 4.10).
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic is back this weekend for the first time in a decade.
From 1985 to 2016, the race was a staple in the streets of Philadelphia, and it’s finally making its return with the men’s and women’s races on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the race and its return …
What is the Philadelphia Cycling Classic?
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic started in June 1985 and was recognized as one of the most iconic cycling races in the country.
The course is a 14.4-mile circuit that will start and finish on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The women’s race will total 65 miles, while the men’s race will be 122 miles.
Originally known as the CoreStates U.S. Pro Cycling Championship, the race took about 100 professional riders on a 10-lap circuit spanning Fairmount Park and the hills of Manayunk, with speed skater and Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden winning the inaugural race.
In late January 2017, city officials announced that the race’s run had come to an end. That year, organizers said, the race would cost an estimated $1 million to stage successfully and safely, and not enough sponsors were interested.
Former racer Carlos Rogers, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Eric Robbins are responsible for spearheading the race’s return this year.
What is the race route?
The original course ran up the Ben Franklin Parkway to Kelly Drive, passing through East Falls, Roxborough, and Manayunk, which was home to the most famous part of the course, the Manayunk Wall.
This year’s race will return to that original course, and will take participants past Strawberry Mansion, Lemon Hill, Boathouse Row — and, of course, up the Wall.
Course map for the 2026 Philadelphia Cycling Classic.John Duchneskie
The Wall is a steep incline hill, reaching up to a 17% grade over a stretch of about a half mile, mostly on Levering Street in Manayunk. It is considered one of the race’s most iconic components, and has been part of the race since 1985, when Jerry Casale and David Chauner first mapped out the course.
Road closures will start Saturday with the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Amateur Time Trial and continue into Sunday for the main races.
Who is competing?
The Philadelphia Racing Classic will feature 36 teams and 212 riders.
Eight of the teams competing are WorldTour teams — three women’s and five men’s. Overall, there will be 21 women’s teams and 15 men’s teams, with riders representing 28 countries.
Olympians and national champions are among the riders on Sunday, including world class athletes who have competed in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España.
Racers Robin Carpenter of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling and Kim Stoveld of AUTOMATIC Racing will be among the local riders. For Carpenter, this is his fourth Philadelphia Cycling Classic while Stoveld has witnessed the race as a spectator before she started cycling around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What do the winners receive?
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic offers equal prizes, in the men’s and women’s races, of $75,000 each. Winners will also receive trophies crafted by John Rais, an artist and metalsmith with a studio located in North Philly.
How do I watch?
Locally, 6abc will air the race live on television for those who want to watch from home, which includes streams on 6abc’s YouTube Channel, website, and on Hulu and Disney+. A special will air at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday on 6abc.
The women’s race will start at 8:35 a.m. with the men’s race to follow at noon.
For fans interested in attending, access to the race will be free, meaning anyone can line up along the course to watch.
Traditionally, large parties take place along the tight streets of Manayunk, turning the race into a festival of sorts. But for those not located in the Manayunk area, the event’s official Fan Fest will be held by the Iroquois Sculpture near Philadelphia Museum of Art from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free and will include vendors, live entertainment, a stream of the race, activities for kids, and a beer garden.
Carlos Rogers was devastated when the iconic Philadelphia Cycling Classic hosted its final race in 2016.
“It was like a schism across my body,” Rogers said. “As a fan, it was a big gash. It was a feeling of loss, as a passionate cyclist and as a fan.”
For years, he and others both in and outside the Philly cycling community lamented the loss of the race. But while attending the Maryland Cycling Classic in 2022, Rogers decided he’d “had enough of people missing it.”
Rogers, a salon owner in Old City, had helped organize smaller bike races before, but never anything on the scale of the 14.4-mile course through Philadelphia. Virtually everyone he talked to in the community, from local government leaders and civic organizations to those formerly involved with the Philly Cycling Classic, was interested in bringing the race back.
The hard part, of course, was finding the money.
“I was throwing spaghetti on the wall and seeing what would stick with any kind of corporate sponsors,” Rogers said.
“Someone’s got to step up,” said Carlos Rogers, co-owner of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
One of his connections referred him to entrepreneur Eric Robbins, who lived in Manayunk in the late 1990s and remembered how great an event the race used to be for the neighborhood.
Rogers’ enthusiasm and determination made it a “no-brainer” to partner with him on bringing back the race. Robbins looped in former Mayor Michael Nutter, who used to represent the Manayunk and Roxborough neighborhoods in City Council. But from there, it still took about a year and a half to secure the funding.
“There were a tremendous amount of no’s,” Robbins said. “For us, the vision of 2026, of bringing it back after a 10-year hiatus, it made perfect sense. It’s the greatest year to bring it back, but also the most difficult one.”
Because of the large number of sports events in the area this summer, from the World Cup to the PGA Championship to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, sponsorship dollars were extremely competitive. As the lead organizers, they knew why bringing the race back was important, but with so many events happening, they struggled to find sponsors who understood their mission.
“We’re reintroducing an historic event to a whole new crowd of people and bringing along the folks who knew it because they longed for it,” Nutter said.
Former Mayor Michael Nutter is one of the co-owners of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Rogers was reluctant to publicize his efforts to bring back the race until they’d actually secured the funding.
“I knew how easy it would be to fail, and then how everybody could point the finger and be like, here’s another clown trying to do something. … I had no resumé of success at this level, where people would invest in me.”
But he ultimately decided to go to the press late into the process, as a last-ditch effort to get the race up in 2026. His hope was that maybe a CEO or local business leader would see it and be moved to support.
That didn’t happen, but it did put a bit of “wind in his sails” as more people learned about the efforts and tried to push it along. Ultimately, through a mutual connection, he met with Bob Flexon, CEO of the UGI Corporation, who happened to be an avid cyclist himself, and got AmeriGas on board as the title sponsor in September 2025.
Carlos Rogers (from left), Brian O’Reilly, Eric Robbins and Former Mayor Michael Nutter toast with the new Philadelphia Classic Lager from Mainstay brewery during an event at Craft Hall on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Since then, it’s been a mad dash to rebuild the teams that made past iterations of the race so successful. Former race director Robin Morton and G4 Productions are leading the production, and numerous city employees who managed logistics for the race 10 years ago are still in place.
“[Raffaele Casale], he’s worked security barricade staging for 31 years of the race, and he’s on our crew this year,” Rogers said. “He could put barricades around the course blindfolded. He knows every turn, every corner, every pothole. He’s a secret weapon.”
Rogers, Robbins, and Nutter coined the race “the People’s Race.” Spectating the men’s and women’s races, which will be held Sunday, is completely free, everywhere from Kelly Drive to the iconic Manayunk Wall. They hope it will be a big community celebration, like the Philadelphia Marathon, and what the race once was.
“This race is by Philadelphians, for Philadelphians,” Rogers said. “We haven’t brought in any outside components. We put the band back together.”
A month into 2026 training camp, five months after signing with his new team, and more than four years after being drafted by Seattle, Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen still feels nervous before some of his practice reps.
Why?
“It’s like I’m a rookie again,” Woolen said. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, but after losing some of his playing time last season during what would become a Super Bowl run, it was time to find a new team.
Woolen was one of the better man-coverage corners last season, but he struggled in zone, and the open market wasn’t that kind to him in terms of finding a long-term deal. He landed with the Eagles on a one-year deal worth $12 million guaranteed and had to move nearly 3,000 miles away, mesh with new teammates, and learn a new scheme. Hence the feeling like a rookie all over again.
“I feel like every day I continue to get better and feel like I fit in,” Woolen said Monday.
Moments like his plays during Thursday’s joint practice session in New England help the fitting-in part. First, Woolen jumped an A.J. Brown out route near the goal line and picked off Drake Maye for a 100-yard pick-six. Later, he again had tight coverage on Brown and forced the ball free into the air, allowing Jalyx Hunt to make a diving interception.
Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen was a standout in joint practices with the Patriots last week. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
That Woolen’s big day came on the heels of one of his worst days of camp Wednesday was a good sign for him and the Eagles. Woolen may feel like a rookie now, but he is wise enough at 27 to know that a short memory is crucial to playing cornerback in the NFL. The younger version of himself didn’t know how to handle it, he said Monday.
“That’s just part of the game and it’s part of being a DB as well,” Woolen said. “One thing may [not] go your way, but you got to be able to rebound and be able to keep playing plays and keep making plays because that’s what the coaches and team expect.”
Woolen, who is unusually tall for a corner at 6-foot-4, was on the radar of the Eagles last season when it became clear that he could be made available before the trade deadline. He had one of the best seasons in recent years in man coverage — according to Next Gen Stats, his 27.6% completion rate allowed in man coverage was the lowest by any defender to face 20-plus targets in man since at least 2018. But the Seahawks, according to Sharp Analytics, deployed man coverages on 15.2% of their defensive snaps, sixth-fewest in the NFL. The Eagles, meanwhile, used man coverage on 24.5% of their snaps last season.
That should favor Woolen, and maybe defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will dial that number up a little more to fit Woolen’s strengths. But Woolen will need to improve his off-ball play if he wants to earn a long-term contract in the spring.
Woolen, who has 12 interceptions in his first four NFL seasons, had arguably the best offseason program of any Eagles player. He blanketed DeVonta Smith on multiple occasions during OTAs. Then, on the last day of minicamp in June, he “sacked” Jalen Hurts on a corner blitz and then picked off Hurts on the next play, on an errant throw toward Dallas Goedert. But Woolen’s play during training camp has been inconsistent, highlighting what could be an issue for a team that doesn’t have much in the way of reliable depth behind him.
The Eagles had a bit of a revolving door across from Quinyon Mitchell last season before Adoree’ Jackson claimed the role. They entered the offseason seeking an upgrade, knowing Cooper DeJean would remain at nickel and even play some safety after struggling a bit on the outside. Woolen has the potential to provide the Eagles with a major upgrade, but he still has to prove he can be reliable working in zones and not take plays off.
“At times he can get a little lazy or sloppy with his technique and have a bad down or two, but he’s still showing everything that I think he can do,” Fangio said earlier this month. “He’s just got to get in such great shape and calloused to football that those don’t happen.”
Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen speaks with reporters during training camp last month.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Woolen also will need to shed his reputation, too. He was called for three taunting penalties last season, including one in the NFC championship game late in the third quarter that extended a Los Angeles Rams drive that ended with a touchdown.
Woolen agreed when asked Monday if there were misconceptions about him in free agency.
“I can’t be likable to everybody, but I know that people who really do know me, I know there’s a reason why they like me and that’s because I’m being myself,” he said. “As long as I’m here being where my feet are at, I feel like my personality will outshine a lot of things.
“I still feel like I have a lot more to prove to these guys, even the fans and everybody here. People only know me where I come from, and what they’ve heard from where I came from. People don’t really know me as a person. The more and more I make plays, the more and more I talk to you guys, talk to people around here, they’ll be able to understand me and get to know me and the type of player I am.”
The real games are only a few weeks away, but Woolen will get his first taste of his new home field and fan base Tuesday, when the Eagles have their annual open practice at Lincoln Financial Field.
“It’s another opportunity to show people how I play ball and express who I am,” he said.
Regardless of whether you stayed up late last night to watch the end of the Phillies’ first of 10 games out on the West Coast or you didn’t, chances are Sunday’s walk-off winner is still very much on the mind.
That game, an unreal six-run, two-out ninth-inning stretch that saw the Phillies beat the Cardinals, was the club’s ninth win since before they stepped out of an Iowa cornfield to put a hurt on the Twins during the Field of Dreams game.
The Phillies entered last night’s game against Seattle first in the major leagues with a .370 on-base percentage for the month of August. In July, they were dead last with a .303 OBP. None of this makes any sense, but taking the ride for our amusement all season has been Inquirer writer Scott Lauber, who breaks down what is going on and how long it could last in this video.
And before this hits its sell-by date, if you’ll indulge us with reliving the sound of that walk-off just one more time …
You’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t step outside today. Expect temperatures in the upper 70s under clear skies on this final Tuesday in August.
Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon catches the football during team drills late last week. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Imagine being a rookie. The pressure is there even if everyone insists it’s not. Now, imagine being a rookie with all of that pressure, and you can’t play … because of an injury … during preseason.
If you can imagine all of that, you would have taken a step in the shoes of new Eagles wideout Makai Lemon, who is hustling to get on the field — again — following a hamstring injury. However, Lemon is back on the field, taking part in his first full practice on Monday.
West Chester Little League team East Side is the Mid-Atlantic representative at the Little League World Series this year. Ralph Wilson / For The Inquirer
Win or lose, the boys of West Chester’s East Side Little League have already created core memories.
Representing the Mid-Atlantic in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., they got to hang out with professionals, meet players from around the world, and play under the lights for a nationally televised audience on ESPN. Unfortunately, their run in Williamsport came to an end on Monday with a 6-5 loss in extra innings.
A look at the pair of trophies created by Hunting Park metalworker John Rais for this Sunday’s Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
When the winners of the upcoming Philadelphia Cycling Classic accept their trophies this Sunday, they’ll be taking home a piece forged in Philly.
Avid cyclist and North Philly blacksmith John Rais was commissioned to create six trophies for the popular road race that returned for the first time in a decade. Well, actually he wasn’t commissioned.
He sort of commissioned himself after speaking with organizer Carlos Rogers, as the two discussed the cost of returning the race to Philly.
“I was like, ‘Carlos, I’ll make the trophies for free for you,’” Rais said. “‘I’ll just do that.’”
Inquirer writer Owen Hewitt has more on Rais, the race and what the winners in both the men’s and women’s divisions will be taking home.
On this date
Aug. 25, 1968: Arthur Ashe, who once had a tennis center named in his honor just outside of Manayunk to introduce the sport to scores of Philly-area kids, became the first Black player to win a U.S. Open title 58 years ago today.
Phillies first baseman Kyle Schwarber celebrates hitting his 39th home run of the season, a walkoff blast against the Cardinals on Sunday. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
We’ll call it the Schwarber Era because it was Kyle Schwarber’s 459-foot, two-run, walk-off Schwar-bomb that extended the winning streak Sunday afternoon, and because, with due respect to Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, Schwarber is the soul of this ballclub. The latest from Hayes examined the five reasons to believe in the Phillies again, even though it might make you go a little zany.
🧠 Trivia time
In 2019, former Inquirer writer Frank Fitzpatrick referred to this Flyers team as “the best to never win a championship,” after they went on a 35-game unbeaten streak that lasted 86 days.
A) 1972-73
B) 1991-92
C) 2008-09
D) 1979-80
What you’re saying about sports skills
We asked: Which sport has the most universal skill set?
It takes a lot of talent to play sports in Philadelphia, but perhaps none more than on skates and ice. The Flyers possess a universal skill set that not only requires that of the other sports — but to do so with an added level of complexity. — Michael L.
I think the most universal sport skills are those that go back to the beginning of our human existence, with man against man. [Think] combat sports, whether wrestling or boxing, and then running, throwing, swimming, and lifting, etc. — Everett S.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Scott Lauber, Jeff McLane, Marcus Hayes, Owen Hewitt, Becca O’Reilly, Rob Tornoe, Ariel Simpson, Olivia Reiner, Conor Smith and Mia Messina.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
That’s your Tuesday. Thanks for taking time out this AM. We’ll be back in your inbox bright and early tomorrow.— Kerith
SEATTLE — Julio Rodríguez unloaded on a two-strike splitter in the first inning here Monday night and set off the foghorn that signals Mariners home runs.
Because the Mariners’ five-foghorn, 9-2 victory was a five-alarm start for Zack Wheeler. Never mind that the Phillies’ nine-game winning streak went up in smoke. There was a more urgent question to keep the team’s pitching brain trust from sleeping in Seattle.
It wasn’t merely what happened against the Mariners, but as long as we’re on the subject: Wheeler allowed eight runs (a season-high) on nine hits, four homers, and five walks, tying season-highs in those categories. He didn’t record an out in the fifth inning after Don Mattingly sent him back out at 94 pitches. His ERA jumped from 2.92 to 3.40.
The Phillies could chalk it up to a one-off, just one of those nights, if not for the fact that the 36-year-old ace has given up at least four runs in four of his last six starts. Related: He has issued at least four walks in back-to-back starts for the first time since July 2017.
“I haven’t had a stretch like this in a while,” Wheeler said. “I mean, I just don’t really have anything else to say.”
At least not after saying this: “To be totally honest with you, I feel perfectly fine, healthy, strong. Everything’s there.” And that’s relevant because Wheeler missed the final six weeks of last season and the first month this year after having a rib removed to relieve a compressed vein that caused a blood clot near his shoulder.
Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler gave up five runs in the first inning of his team’s 9-2 loss. Lindsey Wasson
Wheeler’s velocity readings appear to support his claim. His fastball averaged 94.9 mph, consistent with his 95-mph season average. The Phillies have other metrics that also suggest Wheeler is healthy.
So, if he insists he’s physically fine and not struggling with stamina 124⅓ innings into his comeback season, is there another explanation for walking 15 batters in a four-start span for the first time since … checks notes … May 2014, his second season in the majors?
“That’s why it’s so frustrating right now,” Wheeler said. “Because I’m on a rough stretch and I feel fine. You’ve really got to dig in. That’s what I’m going to do [Tuesday], you know? Sit down, talk, and try to get some stuff figured out.”
OK, start here: Wheeler said the only pitch he was able to throw for a strike was his fastball — “and that’s not even fully consistent.” He gave up homers on his splitter (to Rodríguez and Cole Young), fastball (to Cal Raleigh), and cutter (to Raleigh, the .167-hitting star catcher who went deep a third time against reliever Chase Shugart).
Wheeler gave up five first-inning runs for the first time since Sept. 12, 2023. The first six batters reached base, with the only out coming when Bryce Harper nailed Josh Naylor trying to stretch a single.
It all started by running a 3-1 count to leadoff-hitting Randy Arozarena, who drew a seven-pitch walk.
“I hate walking guys,” Wheeler said. “I used to walk guys a good bit [early in his career] and kind of got away from that, and now that this little stretch has been walking guys, it’s pretty frustrating.”
Considering this is Wheeler, the best pitcher in baseball over the last seven years, the Phillies won’t dismiss any theory for why he’s struggling. Odds are, he isn’t tipping pitches. Just in case, they’ll look into it.
“They were taking really good swings, so first, I’m going to check off the box of, am I doing something to where other teams are seeing it, you know?” Wheeler said. “At this point, you’ve got to check off all the boxes. It’s not where I want to be. But like I said, we’ll sit down and kind of dig in and see what’s really going on.”
Zack Wheeler gave up five first-inning runs and back-to-back homers in the fifth inning of a 9-2 loss Monday night in Seattle.Lindsey Wasson
Maybe it’s a mechanical issue that’s causing Wheeler to lack command. Then again, it’s not like he was missing his spot by an inch or two. Most of his pitches weren’t close to where catcher J.T. Realmuto wanted them.
“I would just say overall it’s more big misses that you’re seeing out of him than usual, and then more pitches in the heart of the plate,” Realmuto said. “As a hitter, it just makes the ball look a little bigger when your misses are big. And then when you do throw it in the zone, it’s covering a little more plate than usual, and that’s obviously not what we’re used to seeing from him.”
Wheeler being Wheeler, he wanted to start the fifth inning, according to Mattingly, who quickly added, “And I kind of wanted him to go back out.” So, although rookie Alex McFarlane was warming to enter a 6-2 game, Wheeler stayed in and gave up back-to-back homers to Raleigh and Young to make it 8-2.
For the sake of the game, Mattingly probably should’ve gone to McFarlane. But in the larger picture, the Phillies aren’t going anywhere if they’re unable to unlock the mystery of Wheeler’s last six starts, in which he has an 8.51 ERA in 24⅓ innings after running a 2.16 ERA in 100 innings through 16 starts.
“The stuff still feels sharp,” Realmuto said. “It’s coming out of his hand good. It’s just, he’s getting into some bad counts, and then throwing the ball too much in the middle of the plate. He’s going through a tough time right now, but we have all the faith in the world that he’s going to come out of it.”
The Eagles held the 15th open practice of their 2026 training camp on Monday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations from Day 15 (and links to Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14):
Makai retry
Makai Lemon was a full participant for the first time since injuring his hamstring three weeks ago. While the rookie wide receiver was limited for Thursday’s joint practice with the New England Patriots, this was Lemon’s first opportunity to play in competitive periods. The next step will be practicing in full pads for Tuesday’s open practice. It’s unclear whether he’ll be active for Friday’s preseason finale vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. Lemon said afterward that he expects to be ready by the Sept. 13 season opener.
Makai Lemon said he believes he will be ready for the season opener in terms of learning the offense and having Jalen Hurts’ trust. https://t.co/YNuuUFRZr7
Lemon confirmed that he strained the same hamstring he injured during spring workouts. He said he needed to be “more professional” off the field to avoid future soft-tissue injuries. The Eagles’ top draft pick has a fair amount of catching up to do if he wants to be an early focal part of the offense. He worked mostly out of the slot with the first unit. Eagles coaches aren’t backing off on Lemon — at least not yet.
A pass came his way early in 11-on-11s and the ball caromed off Lemon’s hands incomplete. It would have been a tough grab, but it appeared as if he eased up on his route over the middle. The importance of chemistry between a quarterback and a receiver cannot be overstated. It could take time before Jalen Hurts completely trusts the rookie. I watched his release off the line closely on several repetitions and there is a suddenness to his first move. Hurts went back to Lemon later on a short crosser. He was able to stop on a dime and turn upfield for a few extra yards.
Eagles tight end Eli Stowers’ rough camp continued with an injury that sidelined him Monday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Stowers sour
Lemon’s return coincided with a setback for second-round rookie Eli Stowers. The tight end was sidelined with, yes, a hamstring injury. His chances of playing much on offense to start the season were always in jeopardy, considering the Eagles’ depth and his lack of blocking experience, but Stowers can’t afford to miss extensive time if he wants to at least be a part of special teams in Week 1.
The following also suffered injuries during Saturday’s preseason game and were held out of practice: tackle Markel Bell (thumb/leg), center/guard Willie Lampkin (stinger), cornerback Mac McWilliams (shoulder), safety Cole Wisniewski (concussion), receiver Quez Watkins (foot), and cornerback Ambry Thomas (groin).
Cornerback Jonathan Jones (shoulder), tight end Grant Calcaterra (back), and cornerback Jakorian Bennett (knee) were still not practicing. Defensive tackle Byron Young (shoulder), running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring), and tackle John Ojukwu (pectoral) returned and were limited. Receiver Danny Gray remained limited with a groin injury.
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was back in action on Monday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Receiving line
Receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Elijah Moore (neck) also were back to being full-time participants. The offense looked different with a full arsenal of receivers, but Hurts had to relish having top guy Smith back in the fold. He hit the receiver on a dig route over the middle and ahead of cornerback Quinyon Mitchell during seven-on-sevens. Smith just needs to get to the season healthy.
Hurts still sprinkled throws to most of his skill position players. His first two throws in seven-on-sevens went to tight end Dallas Goedert and receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who churned upfield for yards after the catch. Darius Cooper continued to get snaps with the starters even though Smith, Wicks and Lemon were the first three on the field in “11” personnel. Hurts hit Cooper on an intermediate route between the numbers.
The play-action bootleg continued to pay dividends with completions to Wicks and Moore. Those are layup throws if the offense can sell the outside zone run fake, even if Hurts has to check down. The quarterback later hooked up with receiver Hollywood Brown on a deep corner route, although defensive tackle Jordan Davis may have been initially credited with a sack.
Hunting Moro
Hurts had to eat a number of his dropbacks or throw the ball away because he was either sacked or pressured out of the pocket. Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo got to the quarterback on two occasions. Outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt notched a would-be sack. He recorded an earlier tackle for loss and spun running back Tank Bigsby around.
Ojomo and Hunt have been two of Vic Fangio’s top performers in camp. The former is in a contract year, while the latter could be playing for an early extension next offseason. I’m not saying they have extra motivation to play well this season, but it doesn’t hurt.
Off target
When Hurts had time to throw, the results were mixed. He hit Wicks on the run to his right, but his receiver was unable to get both feet inbounds. He went to Wicks again — this time on a slant — but Hurts’ pass was a missile and deflected off his receiver’s hands.
Lemon motioned outside and Smith ran a little wheel route out of the slot later in the red zone, but Hurts’ pass was errant. Brown got behind safety Drew Mukuba on a deep post, but the pass sailed long. There were some other unfortunate moments: Running back Will Shipley got open over the middle, but linebacker Jihaad Campbell appeared to trip him up before the ball arrived.
Hurts doesn’t often throw to Johnny Mundt, which could explain why the blocking tight end was unable to reel in a pass thrown slightly behind him.
Saquon Barkley was featured Monday after not playing in the preseason game on Saturday. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Rushing roulette
With the starters dormant for the previous three days, coaches gave the first units most of the reps in practice. Right tackle Lane Johnson and left guard Landon Dickerson didn’t take any rest plays off. The season is obviously inching closer. The O-line opened some creases for running back Saquon Barkley, who had several strong runs.
Linebacker Zack Baun got to Barkley in the backfield when he was unblocked off the edge. But the tailback had a couple of positive runs to the perimeter. He had to jump around Dickerson when the guard fell back and nearly into his lap on one carry. And Lemon had trouble blocking on the outside on a stretch run later on. But offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s run offense appears to be rounding into form after a strong first joint practice in New England.
The Eagles’ second-unit O-line stood out in the preseason game, although injuries to Lampkin and Bell will warrant monitoring. Center/guard Drew Kendall projects as the first off the bench at the interior positions, however.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert will be asked to block more at the point of attack this season. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Dallas does blocking
Goedert has had a quiet camp compared to other years. He explored opportunities elsewhere the two prior offseasons, but is back on another one-year deal. Goedert was still an effective receiver last season. He had 60 catches and a team-high 11 touchdowns. But he’s 31 and clearly not as explosive.
Blocking was an issue a year ago. He’ll be asked to do more of it at the point of attack this season. He got pushed back into Hurts during Monday’s practice and the quarterback was forced to eventually scramble out of bounds. Goedert had a reception on a run-pass-run option play, but he also later had a drop on an out route.
Goedert motioned out of the fullback spot as a lead blocker for Barkley at one point. I can’t imagine he’ll fill that role in games. Mannion declined to reveal his plans for the fullback position. We’ve seen very little of it in camp, although Mundt, tight end Cameron Latu, and running back Carson Steele could be in-season candidates.
Tanner McKee might have pulled ahead in the QB2 competition. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
It takes two
If you’re a Tanner McKee fan looking for a morsel that he’s moved ahead of Andy Dalton in the backup quarterback competition, he was first up with the second-unit offense. It’s happened before, and Dalton took as many reps with the backups, but maybe it meant something this time around.
McKee checked down on a naked bootleg and also found Bigsby, who made a defender miss in space. He later hit Cooper on a comeback route and had to throw the ball away on another play-action rollout. Dalton connected with Moore for a nice pickup, but his other snaps were either handoffs or a dropback in which he had to eat the play.
Michael Carter II ran with the first-teamers on Monday. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
This and that
Hurts hit one of the peace sign thingamajigs that replicate pass rushers during seven-on-sevens. … Michael Carter II got some first-unit snaps at slot cornerback. … Johnson had a nice kickout block to spring Barkley. … Myles Hinton was the second-unit left tackle with Fred Johnson moving over to the right side for Bell. … Micah Morris was the second-unit left guard. The rookie played well vs. the Patriots.
Extra points
Defensive tackle Gabe Hall squeezed through on a pass rush, but he got crunched in a body pileup and limped off the field. … Noted golf architect Gil Hanse was a guest of Fangio’s. Hanse and his business partner Jim Wagner have been behind renovations of local classic Philadelphia courses like Merion Golf Club and Aronimink Country Club, host of this year’s PGA Championship. Fangio is around a 15 handicap, but is a notorious sandbagger. … The Eagles will hold their lone practice open to fans at Lincoln Financial Field on Tuesday at 6 p.m. They follow on Wednesday with a workout at the Jeff and will have a closed walkthrough on Thursday.
This time last week, Sean Mannion sat in front of the Philly press corps — which had largely praised his work in the weeks leading up to the Eagles’ preseason opener — and had to face the music.
That’ll happen when you lose 24-7 and get outgained 440-159 yards.
On Monday, he got to sing a much different tune.
Mannion’s offense looked much better in the Eagles’ 24-21 preseason loss to the New England Patriots on Saturday. The unit posted 18 first downs (compared to six vs. the Baltimore Ravens), 301 total yards and finally showcased the potential of the wide-zone scheme.
So, what changed in a week? Mannion said the execution of the run game, which posted 90 yards in 24 attempts, caught his eye.
“It was execution and play style,” Mannion said. “I thought, obviously, the starting unit wasn’t in there, but that second unit [and] third unit, they really did a nice job. We controlled the line of scrimmage early in the game, kind of that first series. I thought the play style was on display. Those are the two things I told them I want to execute — really three — execution, fundamentals, and play style.
“We were a little sloppy in terms of our fundamentals and execution at times in the first preseason game. I thought it was much improved in Game 2, particularly with the offensive line group up front.”
Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion had praise for quarterback Jalen Hurts (right) in his remarks to reporters on Monday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Now entering the third and final week of the preseason, Mannion can start to think about what life might look like when the starters finally take over during Week 1 (Sept. 13 vs. the Washington Commanders). There are high expectations for the former Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach, who was hired to modernize the Eagles offense with concepts that look similar to those of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan.
The spotlight will mostly shine on the relationship between Mannion and quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is now on his sixth play-caller since he entered the league in 2020. What does Mannion think of his progress so far?
“He did a good job,” Mannion said of Hurts’ performance vs. the Patriots in last week’s joint practices. “The first day, we had a lot of big plays and just a couple turnovers we need to clean up. That’s always a focus for us, but you could really see the run game come to life, [and] you could see the play passes off of it.
“We hit a nice pylon route to [wide receiver] Elijah [Moore], but you could see the explosives in the past game as well. A couple turnovers, those are obviously things we always want to address. We talk about the ball relentlessly, but he did a really nice job.
“For the guys who didn’t play in the game, they got a ton of great work in those two practices against the Patriots. I was really happy with how Jalen played throughout.”
Lemon’s wish was granted late last week when he was a limited participant in Thursday’s joint practice against the New England Patriots. It was his first practice as a participant in any capacity since Aug. 3.
He made more progress on Monday. The first-rounder out of USC was upgraded to a full participant in practice, taking a significant step in his preparation with the season opener against the Washington Commanders 20 days away.
Lemon took part in team drills, both in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11.
“It felt great,” Lemon said. “Definitely a blessing every time I’m able to step on the field. I never take it for granted.”
His time spent off the field helped him gain that perspective. Lemon said he injured the same hamstring that sidelined him for a portion of the offseason program, forcing him to sit out once again.
He said he felt “a little tweak” in his hamstring while bursting upfield. Lemon suggested that he hadn’t warmed up sufficiently, adding that the experience taught him to make sure that he’s being “more professional off the field” with his regimen.
“I feel like it was definitely tough,” Lemon said. “I’m real competitive. I never want to be away from this game. So, me knowing that it’s a hamstring again, just making sure I take the right precautions. I’m learning from it, so it don’t happen again.”
He also learned the importance of taking mental reps. Even though his view from the sideline wasn’t ideal, Lemon said it allowed him to see the game from a different perspective.
Mental reps are just as important as actual reps, Lemon asserted. Sean Mannion said he was “super engaged” in practice and the meeting room so he could jump back into action upon his return.
Lemon also went through his rehab process with DeVonta Smith, who missed the same amount of time as the rookie receiver with a hamstring injury of his own. Like Lemon, Smith was a full participant in Monday’s practice for the first time since Aug. 3.
Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion (right) talks with wide receiver Makai Lemon during team drills before a joint practice with the Patriots last week. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Lemon said the time he spent with Smith was valuable, as he was able to talk to the veteran about different aspects of the game.
“Any time I’m able to get some game from him, I’m doing that,” Lemon said.
On Monday, Lemon joined Smith and the starting offense in team drills. It was an unpadded practice that lasted approximately an hour. Lemon only caught a couple of short passes, but he took on a seemingly typical workload with the group.
Some of his snaps required him to run block, including one rep against Jalyx Hunt. The third-year outside linebacker said he learned a little bit about Lemon through his willingness to engage with him in the run game.
“He didn’t shy away from it,” Hunt said. “He didn’t try to just get around me. He put hands on me and tried to really block me, and I respect that and that’s cool to see, ‘cause his demeanor on the field is totally different than who he is. He’s a laid-back guy. But on the field, he’s just a different energy.”
After practice, Lemon spent extra time with Mannion running routes. The receiver called the new Eagles offensive coordinator “super helpful” as they worked on some of the finer details of the offense.
Lemon is no stranger to post-practice work, even when he was sidelined. He spent time with Jalen Hurts and some of the other receivers, too, as he took more mental reps.
“[Hurts] just wants the best for all the guys, and for him to work with me, work with all the guys, it’s only going to help the team,” Lemon said.
The team will be put to the test for the first time in the regular season in less than three weeks. Lemon said he can “for sure” get back to his normal self by the home opener.
But before the season begins, will Lemon suit up for the preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday? The Eagles have two more practices before the contest, including Tuesday night’s open practice at Lincoln Financial Field, and thus two more opportunities for Lemon to ramp up for game action.
He was hopeful, but noncommittal, regarding his status against the Bengals.
“Man, every time there’s a game, I definitely want to play,” Lemon said. “So I’m just taking it day by day out here just putting the work in, and then we’ll see how I feel Friday.”
Regardless, Monday was a step in the right direction for Lemon. He is eager to build on that progress.
“The team brought me here for a reason, so I’m just making sure I’m available,” Lemon said. “So it felt great to get out here with the guys, to run around. I just never take it for granted every time I step on the field.”
