Eagles training camp news: Kellen Moore on Kenny Pickett vs. Tanner McKee for backup QB; C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury update

The NFL adjusted kickoff rules for 2024, and fans — and players — got their first look at them in action during the NFL's Hall of Fame Game.

The new rules are intended to simulate a scrimmage-style play by putting both teams on the line of scrimmage and promote more returns.

The Eagles open the 2024 season in São Paolo, Brazil, against the Packers in their first international game — and the NFL's first game in South America. But it’s not a first for Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee, who served his Mormon mission in Curtiba, Brazil in 2018-19.

The team plans to participate in a cultural event, and while McKee wasn’t sure exactly what that would entail, he said he was looking forward to experiencing the rich culture with his teammates. He’s become the unofficial Eagles’ Brazil ambassador, helping players learn Portuguese and giving food recommendations, and thinks the trip will be a huge hit with Brazilians.

Over the last few practices, quarterback Tanner McKee’s reps have spiked. He’s taken over a number of second-team reps from presumed backup Kenny Pickett, who the Eagles traded for in the offseason.

But offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said ahead of Tuesday’s practice that both Pickett and McKee, the 2023 sixth-round pick, have had strong camps and are firmly in the mix.

Jalen Hurts kept up his streak of stacking good days. He has yet to toss an interception. Camp is a time for some experimentation, so a turnover here and there isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But he had a career-high 20 giveaways in 2023. It’s clearly an area he’s intent on cleaning up.

I mentioned this earlier in camp, but Hurts just seems more explosive than he was a year ago (and I’m talking in camp before the knee injury). He had a scramble during one team-drill play in which linebacker Zack Baun chased him. It was as if Hurts were teasing him until he hit another gear and pulled away for a chunk of yards.

Johnny Wilson wants to be Jalen Hurts’ best friend.

The Eagles rookie, making a rapid ascent into the starting offensive huddle this past week, began laying the groundwork by attending a summer throwing session that Hurts held with a handful of Eagles wide receivers a couple of months ago.

The Eagles lost a couple of starters during practice on Monday — one early and one late. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was the first to go. I didn’t see how he got hurt or even him walking off, but it came before team drills. Coach Nick Sirianni followed Gardner-Johnson, and when Gardner-Johnson came out, I asked how he was and he said he was “fine.” He never returned, though.

Center Cam Jurgens walked off the field with a trainer toward the end of the workout. He, too, headed indoors and never came back. The Eagles didn’t have an official update on either player.