Eagles open Albert Okwuegbunam’s practice window to return from injured reserve

The Philadelphia Eagles opened the 21-day practice window for Albert Okwuegbunam to return from injured reserve, according to an official team announcement.

The Eagles originally placed Albert O on IR back in August while the team was cutting their roster down from 90 to 53 players. They actually used one of the two spots created by a new mechanic that allowed Albert O to be placed on IR before the cuts while still being eligible to return this season. (As opposed to the old way where any player you put on IR before cuts to 53 would be out for the year and thus required teams to briefly carry a player on their original roster and THEN put him on IR to later be eligible to return.) The other stash spot they used that on was Ainias Smith, whose practice window was opened last week.

Okwuegbunam’s practice window being opened is undoubtedly related to Dallas Goedert potentially missing multiple games due to a hamstring injury. The Eagles could activate Albert O to be their third tight end behind Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll.

Then again, Albert O isn’t exactly an ideal depth player. He does not contribute on special teams; he’s played just five snaps on that unit since entering the NFL in 2020. He has pass-catching ability in theory but he failed to really show much in that regard during offseason practices.

We’ll see if the Eagles actually end up activating him to the roster or not. They have 21 days to do so or else he’ll have to remain on IR for the rest of the season.