The Eagles made two roster moves ahead of Sunday night’s Week 8 matchup with the Washington Commanders, and both point to a team trying to patch together depth in a few spots.
Philadelphia temporarily elevated running back Elijah Mitchell and EDGE Mason Reiger from the practice squad. NFL rules allow teams to elevate up to two practice squad players per game, and each player can be elevated three times in the regular season before needing a spot on the active roster. In the postseason, those elevations are unlimited.
Mitchell gives the Eagles a little more insurance in the backfield behind Saquon Barkley, who is expected to play despite being listed as “did not participate” on Wednesday and Thursday before moving to limited on Friday. Barkley was dealing with hamstring and back discomfort in Week 7 and was held to 10 snaps on Monday night, so his workload against Washington is still a question.
Jaydon Blue, who was promoted from the practice squad earlier this week, is the only other running back on the roster. The Eagles had him active in Week 6 but didn’t use him at all, even with injuries leaving Dameon Pierce - now on injured reserve - as the only backfield option in that game.
Mitchell’s elevation also gives Philadelphia another possible option as a kick returner with Britan Covey out. This is Mitchell’s second temporary elevation of the season, leaving him with one more.
Reiger is in line to make his Eagles debut after signing to the practice squad on August 31. The edge rusher situation is a little thin, though not so thin that the Eagles are expected to be without help at the position on Sunday.
Still, the injuries have forced some shuffling. Jalyx Hunt and Jonathan Greenard played far fewer snaps than usual in Week 7, Nolan Smith is coming off a concussion, and Arnold Ebiketie has been taking on a heavier load because of the other issues up front.
Reiger probably won’t have a major role on defense, if he plays there at all, but he gives the Eagles depth and special teams help.
There were also a few notable non-moves. Zach Ertz will sit out for the third straight game while remaining on the practice squad.
Philadelphia has already used all three of his temporary elevations, so he can only play if he’s added to the roster. For now, the Eagles are rolling with Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, and Grant Calcaterra as their top four tight ends.
That setup could change if the team decides to move Goedert before the NFL trade deadline. Ertz is also seven catches away from tying the Eagles’ all-time franchise record.
The Eagles also did not activate Jakorian Bennett from injured reserve, even with Jonathan Jones ruled out for Sunday. Bennett’s 21-day practice window opened on October 14, so the clock is ticking on that decision. If cornerback depth gets tested, Kelee Ringo and/or Mac McWilliams could see defensive snaps.
One other wrinkle: the Eagles chose to elevate Reiger instead of 2026 rookie Keyshawn James-Newby, who had gotten the nod the previous two weeks and still has one elevation left.
And at linebacker, Philadelphia is walking into Sunday with just three healthy off-ball options: Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - starting for the injured Jihaad Campbell - and Smael Mondon. The team did not elevate Anfernee Orji to give itself a fourth body there.
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