The Eagles have until 4 pm on Tuesday to finalize their 53-man roster. They have already started making their rounds as the following players have been waived:
DE Taron Jackson
Jackson had an impressive showing in their final preseason game but has yet to make the necessary impact that the Eagles are expecting.
WR Austin Watkins
Watkins spent most of 2023 on the Browns’ practice squad. Will be interesting to see if the Eagles bring him back. The team is loaded at the wide receiver position and Watkins is the latest victim of the a talented room.
OL Max Scharping
The former 2nd round pick of the Texans didn’t make the cut to be a part of a very deep and talented offensive line.
WR Griffin Herbert
The Eagles signed Herbert to the practice squad back in December of 2023 before converting the former tight end to a wide receiver. Herbert was signed to a reserves/future contract and the team could look to bring him back on the practice squad.
S Andre’ Sam
Andre’ Sam was signe by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent after the draft. The likelihood is that the Eagles will bring him back via the practice squad in hopes of keeping him around and seeing what he develops into.
TE Kevin Foelsch
Foeslch was an Undrafted Free Agent out of the University of New Haven. He signed with the Carolina Panthers after the draft but was waived by the team not long after. The Jets signed him but waived him as well which led to the Eagles bringing him in. Foeslch caught 3 passes for 17 yards in his last three preseason games with the team but will now look to find a spot elsewhere.
CB Perry Nickerson
Perry Nickerson has been waived by the Eagles. The seven year veteran spent time in Fangio’s system last season with the Dolphins but just like Watkins and Scharping, Nickerson was apart of a group full of talented players that would’ve made it difficult for anyone to stay around. Nickerson has been a part of a new team in each of his 7 years in the league.
CB Shon Stephens
One of the better stories out of the offseason for the Birds was the signing of Shone Stephens. Stephens had an impressive tryout at the Eagles’ Rookie Minicamp. He led the nation in interceptions over the least two seasons but just like Nickerson, Stephens was in that same crowded room of talent. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles brought him back onto the practice squad.
OLB Julian Okwara
This one is tough due to the impressive showing he had against the Vikings. But Okwara did do much to completely stand out for the Eagles and will likely get a chance to showcase his talents elsewhere.
UPDATE: It looks like there is a chance that Okwara stays in Philly and joins the practice squad. This would be a good move for Okwara and the Eagles.
QB Will Grier
This was always meant to happen. Soley because we need Jahan Dotson to claim the number 13 and let Brent Celek’s number 87 rest. That and he wasn’t doing much to beat out Kenny Pickett or Tanner McKee which isn’t good.
CB Zech McPhearson
This is another tough loss as the Eagles will officially move on from Zech McPhearson. McPhearson was set to be the Eagles slot CB not too long ago before he suffered a season ending Achilles injury. The Eagles rafted two cornerbacks in the early rounds of the 2024 draft and signed Isaiah Rodgers last offseason. The writing was on the wall for the former fourth-round pick who will look to establish his career somewhere else in 2024.
OL Jason Poe
Eagles brought Jason Poe in to add more depth along the offensive line throughout camp and preseason. He was a late addition to the team but an early cut as they continue to trim the roster down.
RB Lew Nichols
It was always going to be a tough battle for Lew Nichols to make the roster. Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley felt immediately entrenched as the depth rushers behind Saquon Barkley, but Nichols still made an impact during the preseason and should catch on somewhere else if the Eagles are unable to bring him back to the practice squad.
WR John Ross
The idea of a John Ross reclamation project was an exciting one for the Eagles, but it hasn’t gone to plan. A week of missed practices and some disappointing preseason reps have likely cost him a roster spot here. With Jahan Dotson now on the scene, the Eagles don’t need to keep him around.
TEs Albert Okwuegbunam & E.J Jenkins
This one is kind of surprising. Albert-O not so much, but Jenkins looked really good in the teams’ preseason win over New England. He’s definitely a candidate for the practice squad, but it’s a shame to see him not scrape the roster as TE3. Perhaps the team only carries 2 this season.
WR Jacob Harris
Jacob Harris sustained a nasty hit in the preseason finale and one that has ultimately ended his hopes of playing regular season football for the time being. He’ll likely start the season on IR so the good news is that the Eagles can retain him.
WR Parris Campbell
This is an interesting move by the Eagles but one that could have been set in stone when they traded for Jahan Dotson. It looks like Philly will go with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey and Johnny Wilson(?). Campbell battled through an injury that kept him out of action for most of the camp. He had a decent showing against the Vikings but it doesn’t seem like it was enough to keep him around.
OL Brett Toth
The Eagles have released Brett Toth in what seems to be a common theme in their relationship. Toth made significant progress in his development as a versatile piece along the offensive line. Will be interesting to see if they reunite in the future.
Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports
