The Eagles’ first preseason game didn’t just give fans a look at the roster - it may have offered the clearest hint yet in the team’s most important camp battle.
At safety, the competition between Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II has been tight all summer. But when Philadelphia lined up against the Baltimore Ravens, the usage told a story: Epps did not play, while Carter started alongside Andre’ Sam.
That alone sparked plenty of conversation, because it looked like a possible sign that Epps had seized the job. The Eagles, though, don’t want that read into the decision.
The Athletic’s Zach Berman pointed to the move as a notable clue in the safety race after Philadelphia’s 24-7 loss. He noted that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio “tipped his hand in the position battle at safety by sitting Marcus Epps.” Berman also pointed out that Epps, an eight-year starter, had consistently worked with the first-team defense in training camp, while Carter had split time with Epps opposite Drew Mukuba.
After the game, Nick Sirianni was asked directly whether Epps’ absence meant anything. The head coach pushed back on that idea.
"No, I don't think so," Sirianni said. "Again, I think we're getting really good play from Marcus in practice and, you know, and Michael Carter as well.
I think Andre' Sam had a really good night tonight, and I saw him coming up and making a lot of plays and being in good positions. Again, have to look at the tape to give you guys a better assessment of that.
But Marcus is a little bit older, and Michael, you know, didn't play as much last year, but both are going to be very important to this football team. And I'm pleased with- I thought Michael did some really nice things tonight.
I think Mike's a really good football player and I'm excited to have him on this roster. So we'll see where that goes."
Carter’s night was short. He got only a few series before J.T.
Gray replaced him, and his stat line ended with one tackle. Still, there was a clear physical edge to the play he did make, including one stop where he shot into the middle of the offensive line and stood up the Ravens running back.
Both safeties have drawn praise throughout the first three weeks of camp, which is exactly why this has been such a tough call. Even so, the current lean appears to favor Epps, who played well late last season after Andrew Mukuba was hurt.
Carter still has time, but if he wants to win the starting job, he’ll need to make a stronger push over the next two weeks.
In Other News...
Howie Roseman Just Sent A Clear Message About The Eagles Secondary
The Eagles made a quick roster tweak after their preseason opener, bringing in cornerback Isaiah Bolden while moving on from offensive lineman Hollin Pierce. Bolden, a 2024 seventh-round pick by the New England Patriots, arrives as a depth add on the back end, while Pierce, an undrafted free agent from last year, was cut after a quiet summer that never seemed to gain much traction.
It also reads like a small but telling nod to where Philadelphia thinks it needs help most. The secondary had its issues in the preseason loss to the Ravens, and with camp still offering limited time for evaluation, the Eagles are giving themselves another body to sort through in the defensive backfield as the roster picture keeps taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Face Tough Call On Two Rookie Defenders Fans Love
The Eagles rookie defender conversation has already become one of the more interesting camp subplots, with The Athletics Brooks Kubena and Zach Berman offering their latest 53-man roster projections on a pair of first-year players fans have been eager to track. Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru have both drawn attention during preseason, and the appeal is easy to see: Bernard has stood out for his athletic upside and what he has shown in games, while Weru has kept himself in the mix as the team sorts through the back end of the roster.
What makes this decision worth watching is how little separation there seems to be in the public view, even as the projections point in different directions. The Eagles still have to weigh upside against roster math, and that is where the tension lives for two rookies who have already given fans reason to pay attention. For now, the picture remains fluid, and the final call figures to say as much about the teams long-term planning as it does about either players immediate future. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Bubble Players Just Made These Roster Decisions Much Harder
The preseason opener against Baltimore gave the Eagles a fresh look at the bottom of the roster, and a few players took real advantage of the stage. Defensive tackle Robinson flashed with pressures and a sack, Weru showed enough as a pass rusher to get noticed, Shipley helped the offense, and offensive linemen Ojukwu and Lampkin both held up in their roles while trying to separate themselves in a crowded competition.
Ringo also added a key interception, even with a penalty attached to the play, which is the kind of mixed rsum that can still make life difficult for the front office. When a game like this produces multiple players who can point to useful reps, it turns August into a sorting exercise, and the Eagles now have some tougher calls ahead as they try to piece together both the 53-man roster and the practice squad. [Read more 🡒]