Rookie safety Drew Mukuba scores on a pick-six and re-enters the Eagles' safety race in preseason loss to Browns

Drew Mukuba had never scored on an interception return before Saturday, but the Eagles rookie safety sounded sure it would not be the last time. "That's a feeling that I want to have all the time," he said after returning a pick 75 yards for a touchdown. "There's going to be many more, for sure, to come."

The score and a fumble recovery two drives later gave Mukuba two takeaways in his first NFL action. They were the main bright spot in an otherwise forgettable preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles lost to the Browns, 22-13.

Mukuba had appeared to be losing ground in the contest for Philadelphia's open starting safety job after missing about a week with a shoulder injury. Sydney Brown had been taking most of the practice repetitions. With one preseason game remaining, Mukuba improved his standing, though neither he nor Brown nor the other candidates played a clean game. Coach Nick Sirianni said he understood that reporters wanted a declared starter, but called it a good thing that several players the team trusts are still competing. The race will likely continue until the season opener, unless general manager Howie Roseman brings in another safety.

Mukuba and Brown started in the back end, while safety Reed Blankenship and other established regulars sat out, as is customary in the preseason. The defense was made up largely of second-teamers and struggled early. Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel led a touchdown drive to open the game and moved Cleveland into Eagles territory again on the next series. On that drive, Mukuba was in coverage when receiver Cedric Tillman caught an 18-yard pass over the middle. Mukuba said he should have played outside leverage because he had help inside, and added that he has technique and eye discipline to clean up.

Three plays later, early in the second quarter, he was in the right place. As Gabriel rolled left, Mukuba dropped down from the post, bumped receiver Diontae Johnson, and jumped the pass. He avoided Gabriel with help from fellow rookie Jihaad Campbell and ran it in for what he believes is the first pick-six of his career. "As soon as I caught it, I already had in my mind, 'I got to get in the end zone,'" he said.

Teammates, Brown included, mobbed him on the sideline. Mukuba then drank what he thought was water but was actually Right Stuff hydration fluid, and he vomited on the bench after a few plays on the Browns' next drive. "I just drunk the wrong thing," he said, adding that he went right back out.

After Cleveland kicked a field goal to lead 9-7, Gabriel and running back Pierre Strong botched a handoff on the Browns' next possession. Mukuba scooped up the loose ball and tried to return it but was brought down. "See ball, get ball," he said.

Turnovers have not always come that easily for him. Mukuba had one interception in his first three college seasons, spanning 35 games at Clemson. After he transferred to Texas and changed his mindset, he recorded a conference-best five interceptions. The Eagles stressed his ability to find and catch the ball when they drafted him in the second round. That skill could help defensive coordinator Vic Fangio replace the six interceptions that departed with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the offseason, even though the 186-pound Mukuba lacks size and experience.

Brown has a couple of interceptions in limited time over his first two NFL seasons, including a 99-yard return for a touchdown, but has only marginal experience in Fangio's defense compared with Mukuba. Mukuba said the two rely on each other despite the competition. "Sydney — that's my brother, man," he said, noting they sit side by side in meetings and trade answers. Mukuba said he kept the interception ball and plans to have it framed. Of the night overall, he said: "That was a great feeling, to be honest, with the crowd behind me, me making a play."