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The Philadelphia Eagles promoted practice squad cornerback Craig James to their 53-man roster, according to an official announcement from the team.
The Eagles opened up two roster spots on Tuesday by placing Malik Jackson on injured reserve and waiving Alex Ellis. The team filled one of those spots by signing free agent defensive tackle Akeem Spence and they filled the other by promoting James.
James originally signed with the Eagles’ practice squad on September 2. Here’s what we wrote about him at the time:
James, 23, measures in at 5-10, 195 pounds. He originally signed with the Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft. James spent time on Minnesota’s practice squad before eventually being promoted to their active roster and getting some playing time on special teams. The Vikings waived James in final cuts this past weekend despite the fact he was said to be “making a run for a roster spot” at one point.
Signing James gives the Eagles some more depth at a spot where they needed it. Philadelphia only has four healthy cornerbacks on the 53-man roster: Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas.
James is now the fifth corner on the Eagles’ roster. He’s clearly not in line for defensive snaps, especially considering how new he is to the team, but he might contribute on special teams.
In other news, the Eagles re-signed the aforementioned Alex Ellis back to their practice squad. Ellis was promoted to Philly’s roster ahead of the team’s Week 1 game Washington. He played 22 special team snaps and two offensive snaps before being waived on Tuesday, leaving Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert as the only two tight ends on the 53-man roster.
The Eagles still have one practice squad opening since Ellis’s spot wasn’t replaced and James is now on the 53.
Current Eagles practice squad
TE Alex Ellis
QB Kyle Lauletta
RB Boston Scott
WR Marcus Green
WR Greg Ward
TE Joshua Perkins
TE Alex Ellis
OG Sua Opeta
DT Bruce Hector
LB Alex Singleton
[vacant spot]