Eagles sign safety to practice squad

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent safety Chris Johnson (not to be confused with former NFL running back Chris Johnson) to their practice squad on Tuesday, according to an official announcement from the team.

Johnson played college football at Division I FCS North Alabama before signing with the Houston Texans as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. Johnson was waived during final cuts but spent some time on the Texans’ practice squad earlier this season.

The Eagles had a vacant practice squad spot after recently promoting Greg Ward to the 53-man roster. The Eagles also had a need for more safety depth with Rudy Ford suffering a season-ending injury in practice last week. The team is down to just three safeties on the 53-man roster: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, and Marcus Epps. Signing Johnson gives the Eagles four safeties for practice purposes.

Safe to say the season is saved.

Here’s more on Johnson via Pro Football Network’s Jonathan Valencia:

Chris Johnson was a UDFA who I projected with the best chance to make the 53 man roster. He’ll settle for the practice squad, though. Johnson is an uber-athletic safety with good size. He reminds me of Dylan Cole in a sense. An unheralded prospect from a small school who posted insane workout numbers. We’ve seen the impact Cole has had. Hopefully, Johnson can instill that type of impact to the safety group at some point.

Current Eagles practice squad

S Chris Johnson

TE Scott Orndoff

DT Bruce Hector

C Keegan Render

RB De’Angelo Henderson

WR Robert Davis

QB Kyle Lauletta

WR Marcus Green

TE Joshua Perkins

OG Sua Opeta