Eagles' training camp: Philadelphia's secret weapon gets running back reps on offense
Eagles linebacker-turned-fullback Ben VanSumeren may see an expanded role on offense in 2025. As the Eagles kicked off training camp on Wednesday, VanSumeren got reps as a running back with the third-team offense.
VanSumeren, now donning jersey No. 43, saw 22 snaps at fullback last year before suffering a season-ending injury during a Friday practice. The Eagles were excited to get him involved in more packages and will afford him that opportunity this summer.
'They told me that the last time that we had an All-Pro fullback here was Leonard Weaver, and he wore [No.] 43,' VanSumeren told Inside The Birds. 'So, they wanted me to wear 43.'
VanSumeren posted freak-athlete numbers at Michigan State's Pro Day before entering the league, clocking between 4.36 and 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and putting up a 42.5-inch vertical leap. General Manager Howie Roseman, who re-signed VanSumeren to a one-year deal in March, believes those attributes are too valuable to overlook.
'I told them that I want to help the team, first off,' VanSumeren said. 'That's No. 1. And I want to be considered the best at something. And I'm gonna leave it in the hands of guys like Howie [Roseman] and guys in the front office who evaluate talent, they watch me play every, single day. I said, 'I'm gonna do whatever you guys ask, just know I want to be at the top of the game and I want to be considered the very best at what I do. So, you guys tell me where you see that at.' And they see me as being able to do that at fullback.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Eagles training camp report: Live updates from Practice No. 5 in 2025
With Day 5 underway, here are up-to-the-minute sights and sounds from the Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice session at the NovaCare Complex Welcome to the fifth day of training camp for the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia has had four training camp practices and a Friday walkthrough before the NFL celebrates 'Back Together Weekend'. The Eagles have returned to the NovaCare Complex for a Tuesday morning session that will be the team's first fully padded practice of the summer. The Eagles will be on the field for approximately 90 minutes, followed by a walkthrough on Wednesday. With Day five underway, we're looking at sights and sounds from the practice session.
USA Today
25 minutes ago
- USA Today
Eagles' training camp: 5 things to watch during the first padded practice
With Day 5 of practice set to begin, we're looking at five things to watch The Eagles are back at practice for the second time this week, and Tuesday brings the first fully padded training camp practice. All NFL players look good in shorts, but the helmet and full pads allow players on the roster bubble to separate themselves. Position battles are starting to heat up, and cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo have ample opportunity to make a statement while covering A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With Day 5 of practice set to begin, we're looking at five things to watch. Saquon Barkley/AJ Dillon The 'Quad Bros' are tough to bring down, and Tuesday offers the first opportunity for Dillon to bring the thunder to an opponent in over a year. Jordan Davis The dynamic duo from Georgia has added responsibility with Milton Williams departing in free agency. Jalen Carter returned to practice on Monday. Meanwhile, Davis lost weight and looked dominant early on, and will be a player to watch when the pads come on. Jihaad Campbell The rookie linebacker looks like he was made to play football, and the Eagles will get their first opportunity to see the Swiss army knife move around in real time. A.J. Brown The All-Pro wide receiver has been baptizing cornerbacks through the first four days, and the pads allow for added physicality in his matchups with Kelee Ringo. Eagles offensive line Four of the starters are Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, or both, and when this unit comes together like Voltron, the Eagles' offensive line can be a scary sight.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Eagles Super Bowl champion admits to some Tom Brady apprehension
Classic games often share similar ingredients. Huge stakes are helpful, but they aren't necessary. The bigger the stakes, the bigger the moment, though. The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots once engaged in one of the best Super Bowls ever played. Ask Birds fans, and they may place it among their top two. It helps that the right team came out on top. An exciting and stressful affair offered a night we'll never forget. Super Bowl 52 certainly meets the criteria of a classic. Every masterpiece needs unforgettable scoring plays, a few twists, and great performances by its stars. On February 4, 2018, an underdog Eagles team hoped to topple perhaps the greatest quarterback, coach, and dynasty in NFL history. Chris Long makes his confession about his feelings on the Tom Brady mystique. One day, we'll all be old men and women. We'll tell the grandchildren about the 2017-18 Philadelphia Eagles. If you weren't paying attention then and think this current iteration is stacked with characters, you should do some research on that roster. Philadelphia, the NFC's top-seeded team during the postseason, was often treated as an underdog. They bought dog masks. Fans followed suit, and before you know it, the world's supply had evaporated. They had become impossible to find. One of the leaders of the charge was a former Patriot who had joined the Eagles. Long was recently a guest on the "Green Legion" Radio. Naturally, he was asked about winning a Super Bowl in Philadelphia and his affiliation with both organizations. As always, Long on the microphone provided magic. Before the Eagles took the field to play the Minnesota Vikings for the right to play in Super Bowl LII, he watched as much as he could of the New England Patriots vs. Jacksonville Jaguars clash in the AFC Championship Game. Long admits pulling for the Jags on that Sunday afternoon. He had seen the brilliance of Tom Brady firsthand, and he wanted no part of it two weeks later. He believed facing Jacksonville would provide a smoother ride to the Eagles' first Lombardi Trophy. We all know how that turned out. Ultimately, Long didn't get his wish, but the Birds got the job done. Honestly, that makes for a better story. Had Philadelphia played the Jags and won on football's biggest stage, Birds fans would have appreciated the win, but beating Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots dynasty means a little more, right? Think about it. To win the franchise's first championship since the NFL/AFL merger, they conquered the QB and coach often viewed as the best pro football had ever seen. To many, their Patriots dynasty is without equal, but on one night in 2018, they met their match. No, scratch that. They found a superior opponent. Long, now with the Birds, would hoist another Lombardi Trophy as green, white, and silver confetti fell. Were those of us who were watching a little apprehensive and afraid? You're doggone right! That's Tom Brady, man! Have you seen all of those clutch moments and all of that elite play? But a classic unfolded, one marked by a heroic performance from Nick Foles. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles Super Bowl hero confesses to Tom Brady intimidation
