The Philadelphia Eagles’ initial 53-man roster has been released, with many moves still to come, including potential waiver wire claims and forming the 16-player practice squad.
Here are five of the team’s biggest surprises on NFL cut-down day:
- DB James Bradberry makes the roster
This was the big domino that never fell for the Eagles. Bradberry is a former All-Pro corner who made a ton of sense as a trade candidate, but his contract situation likely complicated things. Here’s more on Bradberry making the Eagles’ initial 53.
- TE E.J. Jenkins waived
I’m not sure what’s more surprising, that the Eagles waived Jenkins or that they currently have only two tight ends on the roster.
Jenkins was one of the team’s training camp standouts. He was slowed a bit by a knee injury coming out of the preseason game against the Patriots, but he was one of the stars of that game. The Eagles are likely hoping to stash him on the practice squad, but he’ll have to clear waivers first.
The Eagles placed Albert Okwuegbunam on injured reserve and cut every tight end not named Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. Hopefully this is good news for the oblique injury that Goedert’s been dealing with?
- Rookie center Dylan McMahon hits waivers
The Eagles selected McMahon No. 190 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, a move that seemed to correspond with Jason Kelce’s retirement. McMahon seemed to do enough to stick around as a reserve lineman. With nine offensive linemen currently on the roster, the Eagles are a bit thin behind the opening day starters.
- Safety Tristin McCollum earns his spot
This one was well earned. McCollum was all over the field during the Eagles’ three preseason games and gave his coaches a difficult decision. Many projected him as a practice squad player, but McCollum survived cut-down day. Good for him.
- Safety Caden Sterns waived, with non-football injury designation
The Eagles could use depth at safety. It’s a bit surprising that a player like Sterns hits the waiver wire while Okwuegbunam, who few felt would stick on this year’s roster, gets stashed on IR.
MORE EAGLES NEWS:
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Surprise preseason injury could forge alternate path for Eagles rookie
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