The Eagles have made a minor roster move ahead of this weekend’s game against the Chargers, promoting Justin Hamilton the active roster and waiving recently signed Trae Elston.
Roster Move: #Eagles promote DT Justin Hamilton from the practice squad to the active roster and waive S Trae Elston. pic.twitter.com/H9TgGvkLHA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 30, 2017
The move makes sense. Elston was signed as an insurance policy last week after the team lost three of their safeties to injury. The second-year DB got his first taste of NFL action for the Bills in the opening two games of the season, before making his way to Philadelphia after being waived. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Elston re-signed to the practice squad should he clear waivers, filling Hamilton’s recently vacated role.
The next man up? Justin Hamilton. He had a strong offseason and racked up six tackles in four preseason games to show his worth.
Hamilton was one of the quieter offseason acquisitions made by the Eagles. The 6’2, 315 pound lineman went undrafted out of Louisiana Lafayette in 2015. Since then, he’s spent time with the Packers, the Bills and most recently, the Seattle Seahawks. Playing in 51 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Hamilton amassed 102 tackles and 14 sacks during his collegiate career. He was also named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference. In 2014, he had 39 quarterback hurries, which was the most for any 3-4 DE.
Hamilton signed with the Seahawks practice squad in 2015 and earned a futures deal at the end of the season. Playing at both DE and DT during Seattle’s training camp, Hamilton has shown plenty of versatility to coaches since arriving in the NFL, including enough for Schwartz to bring Hamilton back onto the practice squad.
As the safety position depth improves, the DT spot weakens. With Fletcher Cox and Destiny Vaeao sidelined, Hamilton adds an insurance policy behind Elijah Qualls and Beau Allen, giving the Eagles some much needed breathability and a fall-back option on Sunday.
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
