Bitter because the Eagles are going to have to release some hardworking developmentally talented guys… sweet because we are that much closer to real games that count…
Subtraction by addition is a phenomenon in play, too.
Philadelphia acquired Gardner Minshew from Jacksonville on Saturday for a sixth-round pick and then subsequently waived quarterback Nick Mullens.
The Eagles made five early cuts, waiving TE Cary Angeline, undrafted rookie DE JaQuan Bailey, RB Elijah Holyfield, WR Marken Michel, and LB Rashad Smith.
The Eagles activated rookie center Landon Dickerson, essentially eliminating a roster spot for a bubble player.
The Eagles also activated safety Rodney McLeod, essentially eliminating a roster spot for a bubble player.
And so the Eagles waived center Ross Pierschbacher.
And they waived cornerback Michael Jacquet.
Eagles waived WR Andre Patton…
The Eagles have also informed Australian defensive end and former Iowa State pass rusher, Matt Leo, that he will be cut. Philadelphia will use the International Pathway Exemption on Leo as a practice squad player.
More cuts and practice squad announcements to come, we will update here on August 31…
NOW THE CUTS ARE DONE AND THE INITIAL 53-MAN ROSTER EMERGES:
First off, we started the day by sending veteran guard/tackle Matt Pryor and a 2022 seventh-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.
A sixth-round pick out of TCU in 2018, Pryor started in 10 games for the Eagles in 2020 at three different positions (left tackle, right guard, and right tackle). Overall, Pryor played in 27 regular-season games over the past two seasons. Pryor’s first career start actually came at right guard in the 2019 Wild Card game against Seattle.
That’s a nice bit of scrambling by GM Howie Roseman to get something in return for Pryor, who was probably going to be released anyway.
That trade left the roster still overfilled at 75.
Then, ever so gradually, the Eagles revealed the total cut list:
Final cut headcount:
Released the following players:
- S Andrew Adams
- T Le’Raven Clark
- RB Jordan Howard
- DT Hassan Ridgeway
- TE Richard Rodgers
- CB Kevon Seymour
Waived the following players:
- S Grayland Arnold
- G/T Kayode Awosika
- WR Travis Fulgham
- WR John Hightower
- RB Jason Huntley
- CB Michael Jacquet
- CB Craig James
- DE Matt Leo
- G Sua Opeta
- WR Andre Patton
- C/G Ross Pierschbacher
- S Elijah Riley
- LB JaCoby Stevens
- DT Raequan Williams
Placed the following players on Reserve/Injured:
- S Blake Countess
Placed the following players on Reserve/COVID-19:
*DT T.Y. McGill
A bunch of these guys will sign on as practice squad players, not a bad gig at $9200 per game week.
Here’s a look at the Eagles initial 53-man roster...remember, all players who are not vested veterans are subject to the NFL’s waiver system, which means they can be claimed by other teams. The Eagles have the sixth spot in the waiver claim order. If the Eagles claim a player, they’ll need to create space on the roster for him.
The last time the Eagles had a new coaching staff, in 2016, they claimed three players after final cuts.
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco, Gardner Minshew
Running back (3): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenny Gainwell
Tight end (4): Dallas Goedert, Zach Ertz, Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll
Receiver (5): DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Jack Driscoll, Landon Dickerson, Nate Herbig, Brett Toth
Defensive end (5): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat, Ryan Kerrigan, Tarron Jackson
Defensive tackle (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu
Linebacker (7): Eric Wilson, Alex Singleton, T.J. Edwards, Davion Taylor, Genard Avery, Shaun Bradley, Patrick Johnson
Cornerback (5): Darius Slay, Steve Nelson, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott
Safety (4): Rodney McLeod, Anthony Harris, K’Von Wallace, Marcus Epps
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Arryn Siposs, Rick Lovato
Stay tuned for more roster moves in coming days….
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
