The Eagles are set to take on the Colts in their preseason finale tonight. While you shouldn’t expect the core starters to play, several roster spots are still up for grabs before the team’s cut-down date.
Here are a few players to keep your eye on:
Nicholas Morrow
It’s no secret that the Eagles are not content with their linebacker or were not content. The team signed both Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham in hopes of bolstering the LB group. While Cunningham seems to be the leading favorite for the second starting LB spot, one has to wonder what happened to Nicholas Morrow.
He has 9 total tackles between the Eagles first two preseason games but he hasn’t done much to stick out at this point. It may be safe to say that Morrow will be on the 53-man roster due to the recent retirement of Myles Jack but can he contribute in a major way this season?
K’Von Wallace
Midway through training camp, K’Von Wallace was the talk of the media. He has been fighting for a starting position against Sydney Brown, Terrell Edmunds, and Justin Evans. While K’Von has done all that he can to secure that spot, Sydney Brown and Justin Evans have been close behind.
It may be hard to tell where he stands on Thursday night but the reality may be that Wallace needs to do something significant to truly stand out to be a starter. While his roster spot is all but guaranteed, the starting role is still very much in the air.
Tyree Jackson
Tyree Jackson was the talk of the Eagles camp for several seasons. His long frame and athletic ability were something that Eagles coaching members were in awe of for quite some time. Many believed that he could easily earn the TE2 spot behind Dallas Goedert but injuries have kept him down so far.
With Grant Calcaterra, Dan Arnold, and Jack Stoll still in the mix for spots behind Goedert, it seems that Jackson is truly fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster more than on the TE depth chart. He’ll need a big showing to make believers out of a staff that he once impressed. If not then Jackson could find himself on either the practice squad or as a free agent.
Sydney Brown
Sydney Brown is another rookie who is stealing hearts in Philadelphia. The heat-seeking missile is bound to be a starter for the Eagles but the question remains when. While the second safety spot is still up for grabs, many wonder if Brown can contribute this early in his career.
While he is battling several veterans for the starting role, it could benefit him and the Eagles if he is Desai’s starter in week 1. He has shown out this offseason with his great speed and tackling but can Brown wrap up a starting spot against the Colts tonight?
Marcus Mariota
Well, who would’ve thought that Marcus Mariota’s tenure with the Eagles would start like this? The backup QB has not had the best showing this offseason but how do you walk away from him now? Will the Eagles cut him and roll with Tanner McKee?
Ian Book has not been impressive at all and has walked himself out of the conversation to be in the QB group in my opinion. Meanwhile, McKee has looked like a very well-prepared veteran during his two showings against the Ravens and Browns. While I don’t believe the Eagles can go with McKee as their QB2, Mariota has to have a decent showing tonight to build some confidence within the coaching staff.
He has had decent moments during Training Camp but it has yet translated to the field. There’s also the issue that he hasn’t played with first-team offense much during the preseason which could mean that he’ll look different during the season if he has to come in for Jalen Hurts.
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
