The Eagles have started trimming their roster, and a handful of familiar names could still circle back to South Philadelphia once the waiver process plays out.
By Sunday at 6 p.m., Philadelphia’s initial 53-man roster will be official. Before that deadline, the team reportedly told more than a dozen players they were being released as Howie Roseman and the front office worked to get from 90 players down to 53. None of the moves came as a shock, but several of the players let go still have a path back through the practice squad if they clear waivers.
That group includes a rookie safety Roseman once compared to Reed Blankenship. Cole Wisniewski, a seventh-round pick out of Texas Tech, came into the summer with real expectations attached after that draft-weekend comparison to the former Day 3 pick and multi-year starter. Injury made it hard to get a true read on him, though, since he missed all of spring and most of camp.
Maximus Pulley also has a case to return, even without draft capital tied to him. The former FCS Wofford standout drew attention with his physical style and his feel in coverage. With Andre’ Sam injured, the door may be even wider for Pulley as a developmental defensive back.
Quez Watkins is another name that stands out. The 28-year-old spent last year on the practice squad, and he could end up there again after making enough plays this summer to stay in the conversation. Watkins has already logged 54 games and 1,304 receiving yards for Philadelphia from 2020-23, so the Eagles know exactly what he can offer.
Defensive tackle Zion Wilson also flashed enough to stay on the radar. He showed off his athleticism on Friday after spending most of the summer buried on the depth chart.
Wilson’s path has been unusual: the former East Carolina standout moved from offensive line to full-time starting defensive tackle in 2025 after losing an eligibility appeal to the NCAA. That kind of transition leaves room for more upside.
Then there’s Carson Steele, who made a real impression in the preseason. He ran hard, played with obvious edge and became a fan favorite in games against the Patriots and Bengals, finishing those outings with 193 total yards and two touchdowns. Even so, Philadelphia’s backfield numbers left no easy opening, and the Eagles simply didn’t have room for four running backs.
In Other News...
Eagles Linebacker Cut Reveals How Little Room Is Left
Brandon Georges short stay in Philadelphia ended with the Eagles releasing the second-year linebacker after a preseason in which he appeared in all three games. Signed on Aug. 14, George had arrived as a developmental add after spending his rookie season on injured reserve with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he now moves onto waivers as the roster math around him gets tighter.
The move is another sign of how little breathing room remains at linebacker as the Eagles sort out the back end of the roster. Philadelphia is weighing whether to keep four linebackers on the active roster, and there is still a path for George to return via the practice squad if he clears waivers, though he is not viewed as a likely claim. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Just Made A Tough Call On Their Edge Rush Depth
Training camp has already asked the Eagles to make a few hard roster decisions, and rookie edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby is the latest name caught up in the numbers game. James-Newby missed most of camp with an ankle injury, then turned in a strong showing in the preseason finale, enough to keep him on the radar even as Philadelphia moved on by waiving him.
The Eagles are expected to try to bring him back on the practice squad, which would keep a developmental pass rusher in the building without costing a spot on the 53-man roster. Philadelphia also waived seventh-round safety Cole Wisniewski and hopes to re-sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers, a reminder that the back end of the roster is often less about final judgments than about finding a way to keep promising young players nearby. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Just Made Their Thin Tight End Situation Even More Concerning
The Eagles have already spent much of camp sorting through a tight end room that felt a little light on proven depth, and the decision to release Stone Smartt only adds another layer to that concern. Smartt had been brought in on a one-year deal this offseason after stops with the Jets and Chargers, but he is now out of the picture for the time being as Philadelphia keeps reshuffling the group behind Dallas Goedert.
Johnny Mundt and Eli Stowers remain among the top projected options with Goedert, but the move underscores how much the Eagles are still trying to settle at the position. Smartt could still end up back with the team on the practice squad, which would give Philadelphia a little more flexibility, but for now the room looks even thinner than it did when camp began. [Read more 🡒]