Eagles 2024 roster cuts: Tracking roster moves to 53 Originally published on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles must trim their roster from 91 to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
This isn’t their final 53-man roster, but it’s a place to start. Many of the players released before the deadline will end up on the 16-man practice squad.
We will track these movements as they come in.
Released
OL Max Shopping: The Eagles signed Schafing in June to bolster their offensive line. He appeared in 79 games with the Texans and Bengals from 2019-23, with 33 starts. Schafing played primarily at tackle and guard this summer, but did not make the 53-man roster. He was one of several OL veterans who attended camp.
CB Paris Nickerson: The veteran nickel corner had a few good moments in camp, his best being a 95-yard pick-six over Tanner McKee. He wasn’t expected to make the 53-man roster, but Nickerson has been a solid addition to the Eagles this summer after playing for Vic Fangio in Miami in 2023.
QB Will Grier: The Eagles never intended to keep Grier, but he came to Philly to help other quarterbacks learn Kellen Moore’s offense.
OLB Julian Owara: The 26-year-old former Lions third-round pick had a strong preseason finale, but it wasn’t enough to stay. Okwara has appeared in 38 games with four starts and has nine career sacks, but he was buried on the depth chart this summer.
WR John Ross: The former first-round pick has had a nice story this spring and summer. After not playing since 2021, Ross tried to make a comeback with the Eagles. He had some good moments in training camp but suffered a concussion late in camp. (Josina Anderson)
WR Paris Campbell: The Eagles brought in Campbell to compete for the WR3 spot, but the trade for Jahan Dotson was a really bad sign for the former second-round pick. He had an OK summer and missed time with a groin injury. (Jeff McLane)
OL Brett Toth: The versatile veteran played guard, tackle and center this summer but was not included on the initial roster. (Andrew DiCecco)
Exempted
TE EJ Jenkins: The converted wide receiver was the third-best tight end in training camp and did his best to make the roster, but still didn’t make the cut. With this move, it looks like the Eagles will likely have just two tight ends on their initial roster. (Mike Garafolo)
CB Jake McPherson: The veteran cornerback expressed his appreciation for his time in Philadelphia via Twitter. McPhearson returned from an Achilles injury this summer that ruled him out for the 2023 season. The Eagles drafted McPhearson in the fourth round out of Texas Tech in 2021. He has appeared in 33 games in his first two years and has been a key special teams contributor. (McPhearson’s Twitter)
WR Austin Watkins: Watkins, 26, has previously spent time with other NFL clubs but has been a significant addition to the Eagles’ depth chart throughout the summer. (Andrew DiCecco)
WR Griffin Herbert: Despite his strong performance in the final preseason game, Hebert was always a long shot to make the roster. (Andrew DiCecco)
From Taron Jackson: The former sixth-round pick has been around for a long time but hasn’t played a regular-season game since 2022. He had a decent summer but is buried on the edge rusher depth chart. (Andrew DiCecco)
S Andre Sam: LSU’s rookie safety had some really good moments this summer at a position where the Eagles don’t have much depth. (Andrew DiCecco)
TE Kevin Poelsch: The Eagles needed a few tight ends to get through camp, and Poelsh was one of them. The Eagles claimed the New Haven product after the Jets waived him in early August. (Andrew DiCecco)
CB Shawn Stevens: The rookie came to the Eagles as a tryout player at rookie camp and earned a roster spot after playing college baseball at Ferris State and West Liberty. (Andrew DiCecco)
OL Jason Poe: The Eagles brought Poe back late in training camp because they needed depth at OL for practice and the final game. (Andrew DiCecco)
RB Lou Nichols: The Central Michigan product started training camp really hot, but cooled off as the summer wore on. Nichols was a Packers seventh-round pick out of Central Michigan in 2023. (Andrew DiCecco)
To the injured list
WR Aeneas Smith: The fifth-round pick underwent an MRI and was found to have an ankle injury that will keep him out four to six weeks. He is expected to be designated for return in 2024 when the Eagles take advantage of new rules. Smith had a rough start to training camp but showed well last week and was good in the preseason finale. (Zach Berman)
TE Albert Okwuegbunam: The veteran tight end had a quiet summer, undergoing surgery on a core muscle that will keep him out for six to eight weeks. (Jeff McLane)
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