By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
After missing a handful of practices due to personal reasons that the team did excuse him for, Eagles' running back LeGarrette Blount made his return to the Nova Care Complex on Friday morning.
Blount quickly reminded his teammates of the kind of player he is with his physical running style. "I'm glad I'm not that safety," said Carson Wentz when asked about his impression of his new running back.
Wentz also discussed the improvement of Nelson Agholor after practice. "I see a more confident player," said Wentz. Agholor should have a great opportunity ot showcase his skillset as he faces lesser competition going forward with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith occupying the top spots on the depth chart.
Speaking of Jeffery, he missed a fourth consecutive practice with a shoulder injury, but the coaching staff insists that the injury is not worrisome. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich called Jeffery's absence "precautionary" yesterday, and head coach Doug Pederson echoed that same sentiment today, adding that Jeffery is "beyond" the shoulder injury.
With Jeffery out, Marcus Johnson continued to receive reps as the first-team wide receiver. Johnson has begun to build chemistry with Carson Wentz, as Wentz delivered a beautiful ball to Johnson for a touchdown.
Also missing from practice today was veteran defensive end Chris Long, with a veteran's day off. Mychal Kendricks missed his second straight practice with a quad injury. Adam Zaruba, known for his time as a Canadian rugby player, was absent with a concussion, and running back Donnel Pumphrey missed his third practice with a hamstring injury.
Friday's practice was a light one, and while there wasn't much action Doug Pederson found a way to inject some fun into practice.
Pederson challenged kicker Caleb Sturgis to make field goals from 50-yards to end practice but the kicker missed, bouncing one off of the goal post.
Later on, Pederson had Jason Peters and Fletcher Cox go to field punts with an hour of practice on the line. Both players caught the punts, which were met with cheers from their teammates:
Punt returner @fcoxx_91 puts an exclamation point on today's practice. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/I2ve2qqBV1
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 4, 2017
Jason Peters getting in the reps as well. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/s19LcqeD6X
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 4, 2017
Pederson played it off after practice, calling them "friendly wagers."
Of the action that did take place, C.J. Smith and Terrence Brooks both continued to standout. Smith intercepted a Matt McGloin pass attempt, and Brooks intercepted one off of Dane Evans. Smith is making a push for playing time at corner, but Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson remained on the first-team in today's practice.
Another player who helped his stock was Eagles' fifth round pick Shelton Gibson. Gibson has been plagued by drops during camp, but today he made an outstanding leaping catch along the sideline that was sure to catch the attention of coaches.
At yesterday's practice offensive tackle Dillon Gordon lined up as a fullback in red zone situations, and today he was used in non-red zone packages at the same position, and was targeted as a receiver during the series. Frank Reich emphasized that the team wants to have a fullback and intends on trying multiple players at that position, but Gordon clearly has the leg up in this surprise position battle.
The Eagles are off tomorrow and will resume practice on Sunday morning to prepare for their preseason debut against the Green Bay Packers next Thursday at Lambeau Field.
