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Eagles Rookie Knock out Browns Veteran WR to Set New Preseason Record

Andrew Mukuba gets a pick-six in his first Eagles game

PHILADELPHIA — Preseason moments rarely echo through a stadium the way this one did. But for rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, a single play turned a routine August snap into a declaration.

Early in the second half, Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel looked for his new veteran target, Diontae Johnson, the seasoned wideout once tied to a $36 million deal. Johnson broke on his route, but Mukuba broke faster — stepping in front, brushing past the veteran, and stealing the ball with pure instinct.

Andrew Mukuba gets a pick-six in his first Eagles game

What followed was 75 yards of open field and open roar. Mukuba raced untouched down the sideline, the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field rising with every stride. By the time he crossed the goal line, history was written: the longest Eagles interception return for a touchdown in a preseason game since 2016.

Inside the locker room, teammates circled him with shouts of “game-changer.” Head coach Nick Sirianni kept it simple:

“That’s Andrew — fearless, fast, and always around the ball. Plays like that shift games, and maybe even careers.”

Andrew Mukuba gets a pick-six in his first Eagles game

For the Eagles, it was more than a highlight. It was proof that in Philadelphia, rookies can humble veterans, and every snap is an audition for something bigger. On this night, Mukuba didn’t just make a play — he set the bar.

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”