The Eagles have one preseason game left, and for a handful of players, that’s the last chance to make a case before roster cuts hit. With the Cincinnati Bengals up next and final decisions looming, the next week at practice matters just as much as what happens in the game itself.
Seven names stand out as players who need a strong finish to avoid being left on the outside looking in.
Dameon Pierce is one of them, but his path has gotten a lot harder. He has been hurt, and his standing took a major hit after Will Shipley and Carson Steele turned in strong showings in the preseason loss to the New England Patriots.
If Pierce wants any real shot at sticking around, he has to get on the field and show he can help on special teams as a returner. Without that, his time in Philly is probably done.
Elijah Moore is in a similar fight, though at a different position. The Eagles’ receiver room still has an open question attached to it: will they keep five wideouts or six on the 53-man roster?
Moore is battling Britain Covey for what may be the final spot, and Covey’s value as a returner could give him the edge. That leaves Moore needing a productive final game to make his case.
Up front, Myles Hinton is running out of room to climb. Philadelphia’s offensive line has drawn praise through the first two preseason games, but Hinton has apparently slipped behind the pack.
With Markel Bell moving up and Fred Johnson also in the mix, Hinton may not be able to catch either one. If he doesn’t make a push in the finale, the practice squad could be his most likely landing spot.
At defensive tackle, Gabe Hall faces an even steeper climb. Uar Bernard has been playing well, which only makes Hall’s situation tougher.
Ty Robinson and Byron Young already look like roster locks at the position, and if Brandon Graham returns and re-signs with Philly, that would take another place out of the equation. Hall likely needs one standout play to keep his name in the conversation.
Chance Campbell is still hanging around the bubble at linebacker, even though defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likes what he has shown. The problem is that Campbell still needs more than just solid work on special teams. He needs a splash play - something like tackles for loss or a forced fumble - to show he can bring more to the table.
Shaun Wade has been one of the few reserve corners to flash, thanks to two forced fumbles. Even so, the numbers game is working against him.
Other players have been around longer, and that experience could matter when the roster is set. Another takeaway would at least make the decision more interesting.
Then there’s Kelee Ringo, whose preseason has been uneven despite picking off a pass in the opener against the Baltimore Ravens. His spot is far from guaranteed, and special teams work alone won’t carry him through. He doesn’t need a turnover to save himself, but a few pass deflections in the final game would help a lot.
In Other News...
Eagles Camp Just Took Another Hit Before The Final Preseason Game
The Eagles got back on the field for training camp work with a few familiar names still in the mix on the injury report, and a new one added to it. Markell Bell and Willie Lampkin are both dealing with injuries, while rookie Eli Stowers showed up with a hamstring issue as Philadelphia continues to sort through the final days before its last preseason game.
There was at least a little relief on Monday, when DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon returned to full practice. Even so, the day served as another reminder that camp attrition can pile up quickly, especially this late in August when every rep matters and the preseason finale is close enough for the Eagles to start narrowing their focus. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Is Making The Eagles Ask A Bigger Question
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has spent the summer doing exactly what a young linebacker is supposed to do: stack productive reps, show he belongs and make the coaches keep looking his way. Behind starters Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell, the Eagles backup has been active in preseason action, making tackles and getting to the quarterback while continuing to work through the daily grind of learning the position at this level.
Trotters progress matters because it is not just about depth in the moment, but about how quickly he can turn those flashes into a bigger role. He is picking up experience and confidence with help from veteran teammates and the coaching staff, and the more he keeps showing in games, the harder it becomes to ignore what he might eventually mean to this defense. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Roster Battle Just Got Tighter At Two Overlooked Positions
The Eagles roster crunch is starting to squeeze out players who seemed to be on the fringe all summer, and the latest moves hit two spots that can be easy to overlook until the final cutdown arrives. Safety J.T. Gray and running back JaQuinden Jackson were waived as Philadelphia trimmed its group ahead of the 53-man deadline, leaving one fewer candidate in the mix as the team keeps sorting through the back end of the roster.
Gray had been in the picture mostly as a special teams piece, but he never carved out enough of a defensive role to stick, while Jacksons preseason ended with an injury that quickly changed his standing. More decisions are still coming before Philadelphia plays its final preseason game, and these two exits are a reminder that the last few roster spots often hinge on more than just one strong camp stretch. [Read more 🡒]