As he makes the final push to earn a spot on an NFL roster for the first time in his career, this might be the most important week of Marcus Johnson's football life.
You'll forgive him if his focus wavers.
The 23-year-old receiver is fighting to lock up a roster spot in Philadelphia, but his thoughts and prayers are with his friends, family and neighbors struggling 1,500 miles away after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area.
"It's tough being away, not being able to help and to see that," Johnson said, as tears welled up in his reddened eyes. "And to see hearts crushed, to see those people really going through it."
Johnson's parents and siblings are doing OK at home in Friendswood, Texas, but other family members, including his godmother in Dickinson, have had their homes flooded. Some he knows are in need of shelters and are trying to figure out where to stay.
"It's insane," he said. "It really is."
Johnson, who has family and friends from Houston to the coast in Galveston, Texas, said it's been hard for him to scroll through social media, see the devastation and not be able to do anything about it.
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"It's definitely a tough situation to sit back and not be able to do much, but I'm strong in my faith," Johnson said. "I'm going to continue to pray for them. When I get the opportunity to go back, whenever that may be, I definitely want to help people rebuild homes, whatever I can do to just give back to the community."
Until Johnson can make his way back to help with boots on the ground, he plans on helping as much as he can financially and by promoting other charities as much as he can. On Monday, he mentioned Texans star J.J. Watt's relief fund, which as of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, had already raised over $530,000.
Johnson was also aware that Texans owner Bob McNair pledged $1 million to the United Way Relief Fund. Since then, the NFL Foundation and the New England Patriots matched that contribution.
"Anything to contribute and help," Johnson said.
Johnson isn't the only member of the Eagles thinking about loved ones in the Houston area. Brandon Brooks and Donnie Jones both played for the Texans. Greg Ward starred for the University of Houston Cougars. And Houston is the hometown of cornerback Jomal Wiltz.
But Johnson lives in Friendswood in the offseason, grew up playing football in League City before going off to the University of Texas, and spent this past offseason training in Houston. So he's feeling for every community in the area that has been drenched over the last few days.
He hadn't heard if his training facility in Houston is under water but based on how it has flooded from past rains, he assumes it is.
Johnson said one of the images that has stuck in his mind from the past few days is just how close the water got to the famous "BE SOMEONE" graffiti over Interstate-45. Johnson said he takes that route every day during the offseason on his way to go train.
"To see that (almost) underwater is crazy," Johnson said. "And we've had issues with flooding in these past few years. But this is obviously record-breaking and I truly didn't expect this with the hurricane coming."
The tears welling in Johnson's eyes were long dry by the time he took the field in his new No. 14 jersey for Monday afternoon's practice. His heart is aching but this week could very well determine the rest of his football career. Despite Johnson's great summer, offensive coordinator Frank Reich said the competition at the back end of the receivers group is "very tight."
Thursday's game could be what makes or breaks him. By then, according to what Johnson has heard from his mom, the lingering storm might have already dropped another 15-20 inches on his saturated home.
Johnson admitted on Monday that he's constantly thinking about what's going on in Texas. He just has to try to do his best to make a football team 1,500 miles from disaster.
"I really don't know what to say about it," Johnson said. "You kind of know when to flip the switch. So when I come to work, that's what I'm focused on, that's what I have control on right now. Continuing to be the best guy that I can be for this team and continuing to earn my spot as a Philadelphia Eagle.
"When I'm away, I call my parents, I talk to plenty of friends. And I'm just going to continue to reach out to them. Like I said, you just have to be able to flip the switch and understand that this is what's at hand right now. Just praying. All I can do is pray right now."