The Eagles hit the finish line of the preseason on Friday night, hosting the Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field with roster cuts looming just two days later. By 6 p.m. on Sunday, the team has to get from 90 players down to 53, which means this one matters for anyone still fighting to stick - whether that means staying in Philadelphia or landing on another NFL roster.
That makes the final preseason game worth watching through a different lens. It’s not just about the score. It’s about who gets one last chance to flash, who can turn a few snaps into real momentum, and who can make a case with the league watching.
Cole Payton is one of the most intriguing names in the group. The rookie from NDSU barely saw the field in the second preseason game, but he made a strong impression in the opener. He showed he can create with both his legs and his arm, and if he gets extended run Friday, it should be fun.
The backup quarterback battle is still hanging around, too. Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee continue to rotate with the second-team offense in practice, even though McKee clearly outplayed Dalton against New England last week. That competition doesn’t seem close to disappearing just yet.
At receiver, Makai Lemon could finally make his preseason debut after missing so much time with a hamstring injury. The first-round pick has been working with the starters in recent practices, but he still hasn’t taken a preseason snap. If he does get on the field, it probably won’t be for long - maybe a series or two on offense, with a chance to handle punt returns as well.
Elijah Moore also has plenty at stake. He’s had a strong camp, but he remains on the roster bubble as the Eagles move toward their decisions. A big night could help him earn a spot or at least strengthen his case with another team.
Tight end Cameron Latu is another player with a real path to impact. The Eagles have some complicated choices there, and Latu’s value comes from his ability as a lead blocker, along with his physical style and special teams work. The wrinkle is that the Eagles didn’t really use a fullback in camp.
Up front, Micah Morris and Jake Majors are both trying to push their way into the picture. Morris, the sixth-round guard from Georgia, has shown off the kind of athleticism that jumps out right away.
A strong showing could help him lock down what might be the final offensive line spot on the roster. Majors has worked at both guard and center all summer, and the Eagles clearly like him, but Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin are ahead of him and Morris has the bigger upside.
The defensive front and linebacker group has its own names to track. Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru, both IPP products, have become favorites around camp, and both showed up in the stat sheet last week against New England.
Zion Wilson has flashed as well, even if he’s been buried on a deep depth chart. He signed with the Eagles after the NCAA denied his waiver for a sixth year of eligibility.
Keyshawn James-Newby, the seventh-round pick from New Mexico, is set for his first NFL game action after missing most of camp with an ankle injury. He returned late and flashed in the final practice of the summer.
Chance Campbell is also in the mix after a productive outing against the Patriots. He missed the first preseason game with an injury, then played 32 snaps and finished with 6 combined tackles. Vic Fangio is a fan, and Campbell is making a strong push.
Deontae Lawson, the UDFA linebacker from Alabama, is another name to keep in mind. In another year, he might have had a great shot to make the roster, but now he could be competing with Campbell for a spot that may or may not even be there.
The secondary has some questions, too. Mac McWilliams is on the bubble after an uneven camp, and the Eagles still need bodies at cornerback even if Jonathan Jones is the top backup on the outside. Kapena Gushiken, a UDFA from Ole Miss, has added value by playing both safety and nickel, and that versatility stands out.
For a preseason finale, there’s a lot packed into this one. Jobs are open, tape is on the line, and Friday night gives a final chance to make somebody pay attention.
In Other News...
Eagles Rookies Are Suddenly Playing For More Than Preseason Reps
The preseason has a way of turning evaluation into urgency, and a handful of Eagles rookies are finding that out quickly as the team gets ready for its next game. Makai Lemon, the 2026 first-round pick, could still see the field even after dealing with recent injuries, while rookie tight end Eli Stowers is currently out with a hamstring issue. For a roster that always seems to have a few open questions at the margins, these August reps are starting to matter for more than just getting work in.
Philadelphia is also watching the younger defenders closely, especially safeties Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley, along with defensive linemen Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru, who are playing their first football this summer. Those kinds of players often make their case in small moments, and the Eagles will use this preseason game to see who can handle the speed, the assignments and the pressure that come with a real roster push. The first cut-down decisions are still ahead, but for these rookies, the audition has already become something bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Fans Keep Hearing One Backup QB Idea That Makes No Sense
Training camp always sharpens the spotlight on the Eagles quarterback room, and this summer the backup job has become a talking point of its own. Tanner McKee is currently ahead of Andy Dalton in that race, which has opened the door for outside speculation about whether Philadelphia should chase a bigger name if the right opportunity came along.
Some media voices have floated trades for J.J. McCarthy or Anthony Richardson, but former Eagles defender Ike Reese pushed back on the idea and said McKee should stay in place as the No. 2. It is the kind of rumor that makes noise because of the positions involved, yet the fit is easy to question when both McCarthy and Richardson have had issues with completion percentage and interceptions. [Read more 🡒]
Marcus Epps Is Fighting For More Than Just An Eagles Return
Marcus Epps has gone from a Super Bowl starter to a familiar face back in the Eagles building, and his path since then has been anything but straightforward. He left Philadelphia for the Raiders, then saw his 2024 season cut short by a torn ACL before finding his way back to the Eagles on the practice squad, getting into 12 games and ultimately earning a one-year deal with the team.
Now the conversation around Epps is bigger than a return visit. He is battling for a starting job in Philadelphias defense while also leaning into the veteran leadership role he has talked about throughout his recovery, which gives this camp a different edge for both player and team. For Epps, it is not just about proving he belongs again, but about showing he can still shape what the Eagles secondary looks like moving forward. [Read more 🡒]