The Philadelphia Eagles made a pair of roster moves ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders, elevating tight end E.J. Jenkins and cornerback Brandon Johnson from the practice squad. Both players are being called up on temporary elevations, a mechanism teams can use up to three times per player during the regular season-with no such limits in the postseason.
Let’s break down what these moves mean for the Eagles heading into a critical late-season divisional game.
E.J. Jenkins: Depth Insurance at Tight End
E.J. Jenkins gets the nod for his second elevation of the season, and the timing makes sense.
Cameron Latu, who’s played a hybrid role as a fullback, tight end, and special teams contributor, was listed as questionable on the final injury report. Latu dealt with a stinger earlier in the week, missing Tuesday's practice before ramping up to limited on Wednesday and going full on Thursday.
That kind of progression usually points toward availability, but stingers can be tricky-especially for a player who takes on contact-heavy assignments across multiple phases of the game.
The Eagles are likely giving themselves flexibility here. If Latu ends up being a game-time decision or is held out as a precaution, Jenkins gives them a fourth tight end behind Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson. That’s a solid insurance policy to have in a game where offensive versatility and special teams depth could be key.
Jenkins has already been elevated once this season, so this marks his second of the three regular-season call-ups he’s allowed. If he continues to be part of the game-day mix, the Eagles may have to make a longer-term decision on his status down the line.
Brandon Johnson: Special Teams Boost and Secondary Depth
With Andre’ Sam having exhausted his three regular-season elevations over the past three weeks, the Eagles are turning to rookie Brandon Johnson for Week 16. Johnson, an undrafted defensive back, is expected to make most of his impact on special teams-but don’t rule out a few snaps in the secondary if injuries or game flow demand it.
What’s interesting here is that Johnson appears to be leapfrogging 2025 fifth-round pick Mac McWilliams, who’s been a healthy scratch for much of the year. That speaks to how the coaching staff views Johnson’s readiness and potential impact, particularly in the third phase of the game.
This will be Johnson’s first elevation of the season, and it comes at a time when the Eagles need all hands on deck. With playoff positioning on the line, every roster spot matters-and Johnson’s elevation suggests the team trusts him to contribute right away.
Quick Note on Cameron Williams
The Eagles had until 4:00 PM Eastern on Friday to activate defensive lineman Cameron Williams from injured reserve if they wanted him available for Week 16. They chose not to make that move, which isn’t surprising given the timing. However, his practice window remains open, so a return later in the season is still on the table.
The Bigger Picture
These elevations may not grab headlines, but they’re the kind of subtle roster decisions that can make a difference in December football. Whether it’s Jenkins stepping in for a banged-up Latu or Johnson providing a jolt on special teams, the Eagles are making sure they’re covered across the board as they gear up for a crucial NFC East clash.
With kickoff looming and playoff implications in play, depth and versatility could be the difference-makers-and the Eagles are giving themselves options on both fronts.