The Patriots will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday after two training camp sessions that followed last Thursday night's preseason win over the Panthers.

Joint practices are a highlight of the summer and have historically offered some very telling competition, as coaches can fully control the situation and adjust their strategies for both scheme and personnel accordingly. Last year's highly aggressive sessions in Green Bay against the Packers were tough physical proving grounds, and Tuesday's session with the Eagles figures to be every bit as intense and every bit what the Patriots team needs as the road to the regular season ramps up.

"They're super important because you're finally going against a new opponent, you're seeing different things, you're preparing differently against the opponent because it's new," said Kyle Dugger. "So it's super good. A really good test for guys especially individually."

With top quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye only seeing a single drive each against the Panthers, both should be expected to play a significant amount of reps against the Eagles and their aggressive defense led by Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the secondary and big men Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis along the defensive line.

"For all the quarterbacks, it's a huge week for those guys to really show development," said head coach Jerod Mayo before Sunday's session. "Drake will play more this week, for sure. But don't forget, anytime you practice against a team, they'll get a lot of good reps against someone else and based on that, we'll see how they'll play in a game. That's all positions, though."

The offense, and especially the quarterbacks, appeared to receive a boost over the last two practices that should make things easier against the Eagles, as second-year receiver DeMario Douglas was officially out of a red no-contact jersey and into the standard practice white. Douglas' impact in team drills was immediate, catching three straight passes in the initial 11-on-11 period from Jacoby Brissett. The shifty Douglas is a tough cover in the slot and is showing positive signs for a significant step forward in 2024.

"First and foremost, it's just the quickness and the speed," said Mayo earlier in training camp of what makes Douglas such an asset. "He is a smaller guy, but he's very elusive. Just his ultimate competitive attitude, I think really helps the offense go as far as energy is concerned."

"I'm getting the hang of it," said Douglas after Monday's lighter practice session that once again featured him catching a handful of passes during team periods. "You know, last year was my run to get the hang of it, now this year, I can come in and I know what to expect, what to do."

"He brings energy every day, every morning, he's a playmaker," said K.J. Osborn, now the senior statesman in the receiver room with just four years of NFL experience. "You know, he had success last year as a rookie. And I get on him a lot, you know, he still hasn't found the end zone yet, I get on him a lot about that. But he's a really good player, he pushes me, he pushes everybody else in the receiving room. So it's good to see him back out here making plays, doing what he loves to do."

Douglas' development is one of most positive trends for the offense. While rookies Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk continue to have their moments as they develop into NFL receivers and veterans Osborn, Kayshon Boutte and Jalen Reagor have been steady, Douglas is a unique member of the receiver room and one who brings a jolt of smarts and suddenness that are earning Jacoby Brissett's trust.

"I'm getting used to throwing to him, he's a little shorter than I'm used to, but he's been making a lot of plays, and we've been staying out there a lot getting work in and it's starting to show up on the practice field when we're in live periods," said Brissett. "Excited to have him back, his football knowledge and what he can bring to this offense, I'm excited for."

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