Eagles sign two players, cut a quarterback and an offensive lineman

The Philadelphia Eagles have announced a few minor roster changes prior to the team's first OTA practice this spring. The Eagles signed tight end M.J. MacFarland and linebacker Ty Powell. In order to make room for these signings, the Eagles released quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and offensive lineman Brett Boyko.

MacFarland was one of 26 tryout players who participated in Philadelphia's rookie minicamp over the weekend. He obviously did enough to impress and earn a contract. MacFarland measures in at 6-5, 253 pounds. In three years with the Texas Longhorns, he recorded 19 receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns. MacFarland transferred to UTEP as a senior but was declared ineligible for the 2015 season after failing a drug test for a banned substance.

The 28-year-old Powell measures in at 6-2, 249 pounds. He's played in 19 games since being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Powell has recorded 17 tackles and one sack in his career. He suffered a torn ACL in training camp with the Bills last summer.

It's not surprising to see that Bethel-Thompson was cut. The Eagles are going to want to split up practice reps among their top three quarterbacks: Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel, and Carson Wentz. As for Boyko, the Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent last offseason. He spent the entire 2015 season on the practice squad.