Joshua Weru spent training camp turning heads, but by November his story has shifted into something quieter - and, in some ways, more revealing. The Eagles’ other International Player Pathway Program edge rusher, the one from Kenya, has been grinding away on the practice squad all season, building his game out of the spotlight after a summer that had people wondering whether he’d even make it through waivers.
That buzz came fast in August. Weru flashed in practice and even showed a little in the preseason, enough to make some around the team nervous about what might happen if the Eagles tried to sneak him onto the practice squad. Months later, though, he’s stayed put and settled into the daily rhythm that comes with life on the developmental side of an NFL roster.
“It’s been good,” Weru said. “I continue to say I’m so lucky to be here.
The amount of reps we get on scout team and developmental have been good. Just seeing things better and recognizing blocks quicker.
Just getting my strike stronger. Even though I’m not necessarily getting stronger in the weight room, like actual game strength is getting slightly better.
Just those things because you’re more used to doing certain movements so you’re getting better at it.”
Weru, 23, hasn’t been elevated for a game this season, so his last live action came in the preseason. He said he misses playing, but he also used an old saying last week to describe what this stretch has done for him: absence makes the heart grow fonder.
A lot of his work happens away from the cameras. Tuesdays are for extra voluntary work, and on practice days he gets out early for what Nick Sirianni calls “500 shots” of extra work. Those sessions, which Weru shares with fellow rookie Keyshawn James-Newby, are run by outside linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant linebackers coach Tyler Scudder.
Still, the scout team is where Weru earns a big part of his keep. Each week he puts on a pinny and tries to give the Eagles’ offense the kind of look it needs for the upcoming opponent. Jordan Mailata has noticed.
“He’s very fast and twitchy so he gave a great look this week.”
Mailata also pointed out that Weru’s football inexperience can show up when misdirection pulls him out of position or gets him to lose contain in the run game. Even so, Mailata said the rookie has been improving in those areas every week.
“He’s going through that but he’s doing a great job of not taking that too personal,” Mailata said. “He’s hard on himself a good amount.
His effort is greater than mine ever was. I just saw him chase down Saquon (Barkley) it was incredible.
Incredible.”
Weru embraces the job, and he pays close attention when the Eagles’ offensive line is working on Sundays.
“That gets me fired up, getting to watch them,” Weru said. “If I see that they’ve been doing well, I feel like I helped a bit at least.”
One of the bigger adjustments for him has been learning to work from different stances on scout team, including three-point and four-point alignments. That part has taken time.
Weru said he didn’t realize how hard it would be to get out of a stance like that.
“I feel like I’m slowly getting better at that,” he said. “It’s also helped me get more reactive because it’s not playing to the rules that we have. So you kind of have to know what’s going on.”
While Weru has been practicing every week, Bernard has been on the Practice Squad Injured List since Oct. 9.
The two were among the camp stories everyone was watching closely, with plenty of attention on whether either could make the 53-man roster and avoid getting scooped up elsewhere. In the end, both were cut, cleared waivers and signed right back to the Eagles’ practice squad.
Weru wanted the roster spot, but he never wanted to leave. And with the noise from training camp faded, he’s been able to keep developing behind the scenes.
There’s no clear map for what comes next. The Eagles have already found success with an IPP player in Mailata, but the odds are still long for Weru and Bernard. Even so, Weru keeps showing up, keeps working and keeps building relationships.
“It’s been really good because just growing and building relationships with guys in my room, coaches, the development staff, all my teammates,” Weru said. “So I just feel increasingly comfortable.
I can see how much time they’re willing to invest in me. I’m just happy to be here.”
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