Eagles designate four practice squad protections ahead of Week 15

The Philadelphia Eagles placed protections on the following four practice squad players to ensure that they can’t be poached away ahead of their Week 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals: running back Jordan Howard, offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, linebacker Rashad Smith, and cornerback Jameson Houston.

JORDAN HOWARD

The Eagles don’t need to elevate a fifth running back to the roster with Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement, and Jason Huntley all presumably healthy. This protection is more about making sure no one poaches Howard.

PRINCE TEGA WANOGHO

The Eagles should really just sign PTW to the roster now that Jack Driscoll is out for the season. Brett Toth, who lacks extensive pass blocking experience, is the only full-time tackle on the 53 behind presumptive starters Jordan Mailata and Matt Pryor. The Eagles will probably at least look to elevate PTW for Sunday’s game if not promote him outright.

RASHAD SMITH

With T.J. Edwards missing Week 14 and Shaun Bradley getting banged up against the New Orleans Saints, makes sense to protect Smith in case the Eagles need another linebacker body for depth and special teams purposes.

JAMESON HOUSTON

The Eagles elevated Houston to the roster in Week 14 and they might do so again this week. They’re looking pretty thin at cornerback with Avonte Maddox potentially set to miss multiple games and Darius Slay in the concussion protocol. Nickell Robey-Coleman, Kevon Seymour, and Michael Jacquet (who missed Sunday’s game but might be back this week) are the only other corners on the roster.

See below for a current look at the Eagles’ 2020 practice squad.

Format: Position, player, (times protected this season), [times elevated this season]*

*Not counting COVID-19 elevations.

RB Jordan Howard (4) [1] — Protected this week

OT Prince Tega Wanogho (2) [0] — Protected this week

LB Rashad Smith (3) [1] — Protected this week

CB Jameson Houston (1) [1] — Protected this week

RB Adrian Killins (1) [0]

RB Elijah Holyfield (0) [1]

WR Deontay Burnett (4) [2]

TE Caleb Wilson (3) [2]

TE Jason Croom (2) [2]

TE Hakeem Butler (0) [0]

DE Joe Ostman (3) [0]

DT T.Y. McGill (7) [2]

DT Treyvon Hester (0) [0]

CB Lavert Hill (0) [0]

S Elijah Riley (3) [2]

{DE Matt Leo — international spot - doesn’t count towards limit}