The Philadelphia Eagles have started their roster cutdown process today by parting ways with recently-acquired safety Jaquiski Tartt.
Eagles part ways with Jaquiski Tartt
Tartt is 30-years-old and only signed with the team back in June. The expectation was that he would challenge Marcus Epps for a starting role, and if unsuccessful, provide some veteran insurance on the depth chart. He has spent the majority of his career working as a box safety and at the time of the signing, it appeared to be a dream move after Howie veered away from pulling the trigger on all of the top safeties in this year’s NFL Draft, and stood pat while Tyrann Mathieu signed elsewhere.
However, the former Niners DB struggled to find his footing in Philadelphia and gave the coaching staff very few reasons to be confidence in his play as preseason progressed.
There’s no doubting that the Eagles are going to need to replace him on the depth chart somehow, but as for who takes his spot, that’s anyone’s guess.
Who’s next?
Reed Blankenship has been a training camp darling this offseason and drew praise from Jonathan Gannon after an explosive preseason debut. He has more than likely elevated himself above K’Von Wallace in the depth chart at the very least.
It’s also worth noting that the Jaguars just released special teams ace, Rudy Ford, who was once a key cog in the Philadelphia ST unit. The timing of the two moves were nearly identical and Ian Rapoport noted that a potential trade for Ford was on the cards at one stage, but the Jags opted to release him instead. It would not be surprising to see Howie chase after the devil he knows as opposed to the devil he doesn’t.
It remains to be seen just what the Eagles will do at safety, but for now we can revel in an Eagles legacy almost as iconic as that of Frank Gore. Thanks for the memories, Jaquiski Tartt.
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire
