Cameron Williams Returns to Practice, But Eagles Face Tough Roster Decision
The Philadelphia Eagles are opening the 21-day practice window for rookie offensive tackle Cameron Williams - a move that brings a glimmer of hope to a battered offensive line, but not without its complications.
Williams, a promising rookie, has been sidelined for much of the season, part of a trio of first-year linemen - along with Myles Hinton and Willie Lampkin - who’ve spent more time in the rehab room than on the field. And if recent history is any indication, Eagles fans have reason to be cautious. Both Hinton and Lampkin had their practice windows opened earlier this season, only to be shut down for the year after failing to make it back to game shape in time.
So while it’s encouraging to see Williams back in pads, this could be more about evaluating long-term potential than plugging him into a playoff push.
Where Williams Fits - Or Doesn’t
Here’s the reality: even with the Eagles’ offensive line depth being tested weekly, there’s no clear path to the 53-man roster for Williams right now. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are locked in as the starting tackles - assuming Johnson returns as expected - and Fred Johnson has held down the swing tackle role. On the interior, Brett Toth and Matt Pryor have filled in as needed.
That leaves Williams on the outside looking in. At this stage, he’s not an upgrade over any of the current active linemen. And with just four games left in the regular season, the coaching staff has to weigh whether a rookie who hasn’t played meaningful snaps since the preseason is worth the roster shuffle.
A Strategic Play for the Future?
This move might be less about 2025 and more about setting the stage for 2026. By opening Williams’ practice window, the Eagles can get him back on the field, even if it’s just in a limited capacity. It gives the coaching staff a chance to evaluate his progress, get him some live reps in practice, and see how he holds up physically.
That’s valuable intel heading into the offseason, especially for a team that will likely have to retool parts of the offensive line. If nothing else, these next three weeks give Williams a chance to shake off the rust and remind the staff why he was brought in to begin with.
No Easy Answers for a Team in Flux
It’s been a frustrating year for the Eagles’ offensive front - a unit that’s typically been one of the team’s biggest strengths. Injuries have forced constant reshuffling, and the lack of continuity has shown up in both the run game and pass protection. If the group can get healthy and stabilize down the stretch, no one will bat an eye at Williams staying on the sidelines.
But if the offensive struggles continue, and the season ends without a playoff run, questions will start piling up. Among them: how the team handled its rookie linemen, and whether there were missed opportunities to develop or deploy young talent.
For now, Cameron Williams is back on the practice field - and that’s a step in the right direction. But whether it leads to game action or simply sets the table for next year, the Eagles are playing the long game with their rookie tackle.