Eagles practice squad news: Patrick Johnson among 14 signings
The Philadelphia Eagles signed 15 players to their practice squad on Wednesday afternoon, according to an official team announcement. Hereās a last name alphabetical order overview with accompanied analysis.
EAGLES PRACTICE SQUAD
LB Chance Campbell
WR Elijah Cooks
RB Audric Estime
OG Kenyon Green
TE E.J. Jenkins
CB Brandon Johnson
EDGE Patrick Johnson
TE Cameron Latu
WR Terrace Marshall
QB Kyle McCord
CB Parry Nickerson
OT Hollin Pierce
EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr.
CB Eli Ricks
S Andreā Sam
ANALYSIS
Surprised to see Campbell made the practice squad since he only joined the team one week ago and he hasnāt appeared in a regular season game since 2023. Also because off-ball linebackers Dallas Gant and Lance Dixon had good summers and werenāt added to the PS (yet, at least). Helping Campbell is that he played for Eagles linebackers coach Bobby King on the Tennessee Titans.Cooks was having a good training camp prior to suffering a shoulder injury in the Eaglesā first preseason game. He struggled after returning to action. Still good to keep him around as WR depth, even though his upside is likely limited since he turns 27 in October.Estime is a new addition. The 21-year-old running back was a fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft. He figures to be RB4 behind Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, and AJ Dillon.Green struggled to stay healthy and play well this summer. Despite this, heāll still have an opportunity to attend Jeff Stoutland University. There could still be hope for the 2022 first-round pick in the long term; heās only 24.Jenkins figures to be the fourth tight end behind Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson. If any of them get banged up, Jenkins is a strong candidate to be temporarily elevated to the game day roster as TE3.Brandon Johnson showed some promise as a depth nickel cornerback.Getting Patrick Johnson back on the practice squad is ideal. A number of 53-man roster projections (including my own) had him making the team. Hard to keep him off, really, after he had a good summer and knowing he can help on special teams. Strong candidate to be temporarily elevated to the roster early in the season. He might eventually be signed to the Eaglesā roster if heās not already poached away from their practice squad before then.Glad to see the Eagles keeping Latu. Weāve noted multiple times that he didnāt really show much as an offensive player but he looked very good on special teams coverage units. He could be temporarily elevated if the Eagles need some ST help at some point this season.Marshall is the Eaglesā equivalent of a quad-A player in baseball. Cromulent ābreak glass in case of emergencyā wide receiver option to have on the practice squad. Basically what Parris Campbell was for this team last year.Not surprised to see McCord was not claimed. Heās simply not ready to play meaningful snaps in 2025. Another team wasnāt going to clear a roster spot for him. Itās possible he gets poached later on this season if a team is dealing with a ton of QB injuries. And/or theyāre desperate to add anyone with a modicum of potential upside at QB. For now, McCord is QB4 in Philly behind Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Sam Howell.Nickerson is another quad-A type player. The Eagles can temporarily elevate him if theyāre dealing with multiple cornerback injuries. Or eventually try him at CB2 if all else fails, which wouldnāt be good.Pierce definitely needs time to develop. The Trenton, New Jersey native is probably glad to be staying close to home.Getting APR through waivers is nice. He finally flashed some potential in the Eaglesā preseason finale. But the rookie edge rusher doesnāt look ready to play meaningful snaps in 2025.Thought Ricks might look for a new NFL home with a better path to playing time. Heās likely the eighth CB in Philly behind the six on the roster and Nickerson on the PS.With the Eagles waiving Tristin McCollum, Sam is a strong candidate to be temporarily elevated from the practice squad early in the season to be a fourth safety. That is, unless the Eagles get McCollum to the practice squad.Speaking of that much, the recently waived McCollum and Trevor Keegan could contend fill out the remaining final practice squad spot (actually two remaining if one of them is international exemption Laekin Vakalahi, who curiously wasnāt signed after he made the Eaglesā initial practice squad signing announcement at this time last year). We could see more news on that front tomorrow.In case you missed it, Eagles 2024 draft pick Ainias Smith signed with the Carolina Panthersā practice squad. Phillyās punt returner situation still remains unclear.Notable Eagles practice squad omissions: Gant, Dixon, Ainias Smith, Montrell Johnson, Maxen Hook, Jacob Sykes.8 Comments
