The Philadelphia Eagles are in the thick of roster-cut season, and the picture is starting to come into focus. With Sunday’s deadline looming, the team has to get down to 53 players, and that means a long list of camp bodies is about to be squeezed out as Philadelphia works through a 91-man roster, including the international player spot.
Quarterback remains one of the more interesting calls. Tanner McKee is the current leader for the QB2 job, but Andy Dalton still has a real path because of the veteran stability he brings and the comfort of knowing he can keep the offense moving if Jalen Hurts misses time. Cole Payton is probably sticking around too, but he’s still in bubble territory until that backup battle gets resolved.
At running back, the top three appear settled. Shipley has effectively claimed the RB3 role after Elijah Pierce missed time with a hamstring injury and Elijah Mitchell was moved to injured reserve. That leaves the bigger question around fullback, where Steele is competing with Cameron Latu and will get one more chance to make his case in the final preseason game.
Wide receiver is where the numbers start to get tricky. DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Makai Lemon are locked in, while Hollywood Brown and Darius Cooper are close to safe.
Elijah Moore is forcing the issue, though, and Philadelphia may decide to keep six receivers rather than trim him away. If the Eagles do move on from Moore, they could stash him on the practice squad and use him as the sixth receiver on game day early in the season.
Britain Covey, Danny Gray, Brandon Hayes, Quez Watkins, Erik Ezukanma, and Samori Toure are listed as set to be cut.
Tight end looks more straightforward on the surface, with Grant Calcaterra, Stone Smartt, and E.J. Jenkins all projected to be cut.
Still, there’s another layer here because Latu’s versatility matters. He can function as a fourth tight end and also handle fullback duties, which gives him a path to the roster if Philadelphia wants extra insurance there.
That could become especially important if Stowers is hurt into Week 1.
Up front, the Eagles seem to have their core offensive linemen in place. Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, and Willie Lampkin are all locked in.
Fred Johnson sits right on the edge, while Jake Majors, Micah Morris, John Ojekwu, and Cameron Williams are all still in the mix for the final spots. Myles Hinton, Zeke Correll, and Michael Jordan are projected cuts.
The 10th offensive line spot is still up for grabs, and Williams or Ojekwu could sneak in if the Eagles keep five tackles. Ojekwu’s ability to play guard and tackle helps his case, and Majors has had a solid summer at guard.
On the edge, the group looks mostly set with Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, and A.J. Epenesa all locked in.
The real question is what happens with Weru and whether Philadelphia is willing to expose him to waivers. There’s also the possibility Greenard opens on PUP, since he likely won’t be ready by Week 1, which would open another roster spot.
Keyshawn James-Newby, Jose Ramirez, and Tarron Jackson are expected to be cut.
The interior defensive line is another deep area. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, and Ty Robinson are all safe.
Bernard is the only real question mark, especially with the Eagles having to decide whether to protect two IPP players. The better bet is that Bernard gets protected from waivers, though that spot could also go to Weru, with Bernard then left exposed.
At linebacker, the group looks mostly settled. Zack Baun, Jihad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and Smael Mondon are locks, and Campbell is likely the fifth linebacker if the Eagles choose to keep that many.
Vic Fangio’s endorsement only strengthens his position. Lawson and George are both candidates to land on the practice squad.
Cornerback has one major hinge point: Jonathan Jones. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Tariq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, and Kelee Ringo are all locked in, while Jakorian Bennett, Ambry Thomas, Shaun Wade, and Isaiah Bolden are projected to be cut.
The question is whether Jones is healthy enough by Week 1. He did not go on IR or PUP, which points toward him being on the 53.
If the Eagles keep six corners, McWilliams has a path.
Safety is the messiest fight left. Andre Sam, Kapena Gushiken, Maximus Pulley, and Cole Wisniewski are all in the mix, with Gushiken appearing to lead the pack for the No. 4 job.
Pulley remains a live contender, while Wisniewski is headed either to injured reserve or the practice squad. It’s the hardest battle to project with camp now over.
And then there’s the long snapper situation. The Eagles could simply cut Underwood, protect another player on the 53, and either search for a veteran free agent or bring Underwood back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
In Other News...
Eagles Public Practice Suddenly Put Two Key Linemen In Focus
The Eagles public practice at Lincoln Financial Field drew more than 45,000 fans, turning a summer workout into something closer to a regular-season atmosphere. It also offered a useful snapshot of where the roster stands right now, with depth-chart tweaks, a Saquon Barkley touchdown catch, and interceptions from Riq Woolen among the days notable moments.
Lane Johnson and Jordan Davis became the main concern before the session was over, with both linemen leaving practice after getting hurt. Davis later returned wearing a brace, but the bigger question for the Eagles is how those injuries affect the front and the reshuffled feel of the lineup as camp moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Stadium Debate Just Became A Real Philadelphia Issue
The conversation around Lincoln Financial Field has moved well beyond a routine stadium check-in and into something with real civic weight. Gov. Josh Shapiro made that clear by showing up at the Eagles public practice and talking openly about the future of the building, while stressing that any new stadium would stay in Philadelphia. It is the kind of topic that matters far beyond the team, because the Eagles are one of the citys defining institutions and any major change to their home would ripple through the entire region.
Jeffrey Lurie has already acknowledged that the organization is weighing a new stadium against a major renovation of the current one, and the Eagles are doing exploratory research on all of their options. A more definitive plan is expected in the next year or two, and while relocation within the region has not been ruled out, Shapiro said he does not expect the team to leave Philadelphia. For now, the debate sits in that uneasy middle ground where nothing is settled, but everyone understands the stakes are getting larger. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Is Testing The Eagles Offense In A Risky Way
Jalen Hurts has spent training camp working through a noticeable shift in the Eagles offense, and it has come with some inevitable growing pains. Former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho recently pointed to Hurts practice throws as evidence the quarterback is trying to expand his range, taking shots beyond the areas he has traditionally lived in. With new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion pushing the passing game to stretch farther downfield, the Eagles are asking Hurts to add another layer to an offense that has long leaned on his efficiency and decision-making.
The tradeoff has been turnovers, and that has been part of the conversation around camp. Mannion has already acknowledged the interception issues and said the staff is continuing to work through them, which leaves the Eagles in a familiar but important spot: trying to build more explosiveness without losing the control that has helped define Hurts' game. For now, the process is the story, and the next step is whether the added aggression turns into a cleaner, more dangerous passing attack once the real games begin. [Read more 🡒]