DeVonta Smith told his ‘route was trash’ by Eagles rookie teammate during heated training camp battle

THE Philadelphia Eagles’ new cornerback has not backed down against the team’s wide receivers during the team’s training camp.

Quinyon Mitchell, who the Eagles selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the NFL Draft , trash-talked wide receiver DeVonta Smith during their matchup at practice.

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Reuters

“Today was the first day I actually went against him,” Smith revealed to reporters.

“I got open, caught the ball, and he told me my route was trash.”

Although the newly drafted cornerback has been brash in practice, the Eagles wide receivers have grown to appreciate it.

“I like it, though,” Smith said.

“He’s a great guy. I like what I’m seeing. He’s moving around a lot — playing inside, going outside.

“So the versatility is there but it’s fun playing against him.”

Eagles All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown also added his thoughts on Mitchell’s trash talk during practice.

“Like I said, he doesn’t back down, he hasn’t backed down not one time and that’s what I want to see,” Brown told NBC Sports .

Brown added he preferred facing Mitchell in practice compared to Eagles veteran cornerback Darius Slay.

“You want some competitors on the other side too,” Brown said.

“Not saying the other guys don’t do that but you all know Slay like I know Slay.

“Not too much is going to get to him, he’s going to laugh everything off But Q [Mitchell], he’s going to be locked in and he’s going to talk his talk.”

Mitchell was the first cornerback taken off the board in April’s draft.

He became the first Toledo alum to be selected in the first round in over 30 years.

NFL important dates

August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears

August 8 – Pre-season begins

August 27 – Deadline for 53-man rosters

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September 5 – Season opener – Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs

November 5 – Trade deadline

January 5 – Week 18 of regular-season

January 11 – Playoffs begin

February 9 – Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana

In four seasons for Toledo, Mitchell intercepted six passes and had 122 tackles.

Mitchell also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and one sack along with 52 passes defended.

The Toledo product is getting great work in the team’s practices as he faces two of the top wide receivers in the NFL .

Smith had another impressive season surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight year.

The 6-foot Alabama product caught 81 balls for 1,066 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Brown secured 106 receptions for 1,456 yards and reached the endzone seven times.

The Eagles will open the season against the Green Bay Packers in a special Friday night game on September 6.

The game will take place at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo, Brazil.

It will be the first-ever NFL game to be played in the country.