PHILADELPHIA — The first practice of the post-A.J. Brown era did not include the rookie wide receiver expected to play a major role in replacing the departed star. Makai Lemon was sidelined with an apparent hamstring injury, taking some of the luster off a major storyline during the fifth of six organized team activities of the spring for the Philadelphia Eagles. The first-round pick was a spectator from the sideline. The injury is not considered serious, although there’s only one week remaining in the offseason program.So, what stood out from those on the field? Let’s get to practice observations…1. The biggest play of the afternoon came on a third-and-6 from around the 40-yard line when Saquon Barkley beat Zack Baun downfield for a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts. Barkley was wide open, which was why this mattered. He was either schemed open, ran past the coverage or both, and it was an example of how Barkley can be an explosive player in the passing game.Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion might remember that Barkley’s first touchdown catch with the Eagles came against the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 opener (although the field position and type of pass were different in this one). Barkley was involved in the passing game in the last practice, too, and it’s not a stretch to speculate if Barkley can have a greater role as a pass catcher.He was targeted 50 times last season and 43 times in 2024. In his previous two seasons with the Giants, he had 76 targets and 60 targets, respectively. As a rookie, Barkley finished with 91 catches on 121 targets. This is part of his skill set. Mannion was teammates with Todd Gurley when Gurley averaged 84 targets in 2017 and 2018 in a similar offensive scheme.This is something to watch closely in a post-A.J. Brown offense — and one way that Mannion can utilize one of his best players.“If I were to lock the three smartest people in the facility in one room, Sean would be there, and I think Sean will just be (by) himself,” Jordan Mailata said. “He’s a wizard. And I’m super excited, as the year goes on, we get to display what is in the beautiful mind of his.”