**Jakorian Bennett is glad to be getting preseason reps**
It has been a little over three weeks since Jakorian Bennett was acquired by the Eagles, and he has been playing catch-up ahead of the regular season.
Joining a new defense, Bennett is competing for the starting outside cornerback spot along with players like Adoree' Jackson, Kelee Ringo, and rookie Mac McWilliams. With less than two weeks from the regular-season opener, Bennett feels he's nearly up to speed.
"I'm close to where I want to be, for sure," Bennett said after the game. "With this little break we have and the week of the game, I'll be good. But the coaches, they're doing a good job, the players are doing a good job helping me, giving me a little inside information or whatever. But, yeah, I'm close."
Bennett has been a consistent presence during the preseason, playing 33 defensive snaps last week against the Browns and 31 on Friday against the Jets, according to Next Gen Stats. He has valued that preseason action as he looks to get caught up before facing the Cowboys on Sept. 4.
"I'm glad I played last week," he said. "A lot of reps last week, a lot of reps this week, so I need those reps, just to feel comfortable because I know the type of player I am, so I know once I get those reps in me and being able to see things and be able to react a certain way." – Matt Ryan
**Patrick Johnson finds himself making yet another game-changing play**
With a sack on Friday night against the Jets, outside linebacker Patrick Johnson consistently made an impact on defense throughout the preseason.
He posted an interception in the preseason opener against the Bengals. He sniffed out a reverse and made a tackle for an 11-yard loss versus the Browns.
"I got a lot of confidence right now. I'm looking forward to this regular-season game against Dallas. Just got to keep on building on this and keep growing," Johnson said.
On a second-and-10 with 5:01 left in the first half, Johnson beat right tackle Carter Warren inside and took quarterback Brady Cook down to the ground when he stepped up in the pocket.
"I've always had confidence in myself," Johnson said. "Just given the right opportunity now, coming back for my fifth year here. Just building, just keep on getting better and better. I believe in myself. I'm going to have God helping me out and so that's the biggest thing right now. It's just step by step."
Johnson, a former 2021 seventh-round pick of the Eagles out of Tulane, initially earned a spot on the 53-man roster and played in the regular-season opener against the Packers in Brazil before being waived then claimed by the New York Giants. When Johnson became a free agent following the season, he didn't hesitate to come back to the team that drafted him.
"I had a very strong offseason. I think the biggest thing that I did this past offseason was just get stronger," Johnson said. "I put a few pounds on. Got strong in the upper body, for sure. I feel like getting off blocks, pressing things, stuff like that just has really helped me take my game to the next step. Just finishing plays is a little bit easier." – Chris McPherson
**Parry Nickerson makes case for roster spot with interception**
Parry Nickerson was on the opposite sideline in the 2018 preseason as a member of the New York Jets, earning a spot on the roster.
As a rookie sixth-round pick out of Tulane that season, Nickerson played a career-high 16 games and registered 19 total tackles.
On Friday night, the 30-year-old Nickerson faced the team that drafted him in the preseason finale, hoping to land a spot on the 53-man roster with his current team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I really approach everything the same way," Nickerson said. "I like to keep a level head and just put my best foot forward and do what I can do help this team and show what I can do to help this team."
Nickerson had three tackles, a pass deflection, and an outstanding interception late in the first quarter when he lined up in the slot, undercut the out route by wide receiver Malachi Corley to the sideline, dove, and tipped the ball to himself.
"I felt like I was long overdue for me. It was good to get my hand of the rock and get the ball back for the offense. I wish I would have scored on it," Nickerson said, with his teammates chanting 'P-Nick' in the background.
"It was a good night for me. It's always fun to get out there and play and just be grateful for the opportunity and take advantage of it."
Nickerson has inside and outside versatility and hopes that will help him stick on the final roster. But as a veteran, he's been down this road before.
"It's going to be an emotional roller coaster. I'm going to leave it in God's hands and let's see where the chips fall," Nickerson said.
And his advice to the rookies and young players who haven't experienced this?
"Just take it one day at a time and just continue to get healthy, stay healthy, and be ready," he said. – Chris McPherson