Eagles make minor roster move as preparations for week 17 begin

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Following their Monday night win over the Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles have made a minor roster move, releasing Jon Toth from the practice squad and in turn re-signing Rashard Davis.

At 6’5?, 307 lbs, Toth was a four-year starter for Kentucky in the SEC, leading a unit that ranked number 20 in the nation and third in rushing yards per game. A projected late round pick, Toth endured disc surgery on his back weeks before the Draft and after the Niners pulled out of a UDFA deal, the Eagles were the first team to give him a chance.

It was speculated that his release, first reported last night, may have been tied to the debut of Sidney Jones. If the Eagles do intend on activating their prized second round pick, there will have to be a fall guy. So releasing a former player and signing him to the practice squad would make sense. However, the Eagles seemed familiarity in a player who has been on and off the ten-man unit all year long.


WR Rashard Davis, 2016’s CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. Davis set the JMU and CAA single-season record for punt return touchdowns last year, returning 15 punts for a school record 426 yards. Alongside this, he recorded 530 receiving yards and 3 scores.

At 5’8, 172 lbs, Davis is a smaller receiver than most, but brings impressive quickness to the table having ran a 4.38 40-yard dash. He’s very reminiscent of a Paul Turner type receiver.

The Eagles attended his pro-day prior to the NFL Draft and of course signed him during the offseason. During preseason, Davis returned a kick for 23-yards and four punts for a combined total of 12 yards. It’s safe to say they have their due diligence. Kenjon Barner came straight into the return game after signing with the Eagles and after losing Donnel Pumphrey and Darren Sproles, Davis may be seen as an insurance policy.. The speed of Davis alone brings a lot of intrigue, and his 13.8 yards per reception average also shows just how productive he can be in the open field.

 

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports