Eagles announce eight roster moves ahead of Cowboys game

The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced eight roster moves ahead of their Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys. An overview:

• WR Jalen Reagor, TE Dallas Goedert, OT Jason Peters, LB T.J. Edwards, and S Rudy Ford were activated from injured reserve to the roster.
• TE Hakeem Butler was waived.
• CB Michael Jacquet and DT Raequan Williams were elevated from the practice squad.

Let’s sort through this on a player-by-player basis.

JALEN REAGOR

Reagor is back for his first game since suffering a torn thumb ligament in Week 2. It’s exciting to think about the damage he can potentially do against the Cowboys’ dreadful defense. Reagor figures to replace DeSean Jackson, now on injured reserve, as the team’s starting Z wide receiver.

DALLAS GOEDERT

We wrote about Goedert’s return earlier today:

Goedert’s [return] is a bit of a surprise. It was previously reported that the 25-year-old tight end might not be back until after the Eagles’ Week 9 bye. The team is glad to be getting him back sooner than expected following the “very small [ankle] fracture” he suffered in Week 3.

Goedert was leading all Eagles players in receiving yards prior to getting hurt. His return figures to be good news for Carson Wentz and the offense. With Zach Ertz on injured reserve, Goedert figures to be the No. 1 tight end with Richard Rodgers shifting to No. 2.

Goedert has had more success against Dallas (go figure) than any other team in the NFL. In four career games against the Cowboys, he’s logged 17 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns.

JASON PETERS

It sounds like the Eagles are going to put Peters back at left tackle and send Jordan Mailata to the bench. Pretty disappointing. The feeling here is the Eagles should be lining up Peters at right guard, which is the position they intended him to play upon re-signing him anyway, and keep Mailata in the starting lineup. But Peters has a lot of clout (see: forcing the team to give him a raise) and it’s not hard to imagine he got his way here once again.

T.J. EDWARDS

Edwards could be in line for an even bigger role now that Nathan Gerry is on injured reserve. The Eagles could have either him or Alex Singleton lining up as their middle linebacker. Edwards returning is also a boost for the special teams unit.

RUDY FORD

Ford is a key special teams contributor; he’s done well as a gunner on punt coverage this season. Getting him back also gives the Eagles more safety depth.

HAKEEM BUTLER

Lol. A week ago, the Eagles were throwing to Butler on a crucial 4th-and-goal play. Now he’s not even on the team. The Eagles didn’t need a fourth tight end now that Goedert is back. Interesting to see they waived him instead of the older Jason Croom, though. The Eagles could look to get Butler back on their practice squad if he’s not claimed by another team.

MICHAEL JACQUET

With Craig James and Cre’Von LeBlanc (who got hurt in practice this week) ruled out for Sunday’s game, the Eagles were down to just three healthy cornerbacks: Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox (first start back from injury), and Nickell Robey-Coleman. Promoting Jacquet gives them another body at the position, though we could see Jalen Mills move down to corner before Jacquet actually sees meaningful playing time.

RAEQUAN WILLIAMS

This elevation was predictable since the Eagles used a practice squad protection on Williams earlier this week. Philly had a need for more defensive tackle depth with Hassan Ridgeway going on injured reserve. Williams, an undrafted rookie free agent signing, will get a chance to be the fourth DT behind Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Malik Jackson.