Eagles designate four practice squad protections ahead of Week 16

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 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys: running back Jordan Howard, tight end Caleb Wilson, offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, and linebacker Rashad Smith.

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

Jordan Mailata, Matt Pryor, and Brett Toth are the only tackles on the 53-man roster. The Eagles could look to elevate PTW if they want some extra offensive line depth.

CALEB WILSON

Wilson has already been elevated twice so the Eagles can’t elevate him again. But with Richard Rodgers getting hurt in last week’s game, maybe the Eagles will put Dick Rod on injured reserve and promote Wilson to the roster. Wilson could replace Rodgers as the third tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz.

RASHAD SMITH

The Eagles have been protecting Smith lately. They must like his developmental potential.

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

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

RB Jordan Howard (5) [1]

RB Adrian Killins (1) [0]

RB Elijah Holyfield (0) [1]

WR Deontay Burnett (4) [2]

TE Caleb Wilson (4) [2]

TE Jason Croom (2) [2]

TE Hakeem Butler (0) [0]

OT Prince Tega Wanogho (3) [0]

OT Casey Tucker (0) [0]

DE Joe Ostman (3) [0]

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

DT Treyvon Hester (0) [0]

LB Rashad Smith (4) [1]

CB Jameson Houston (1) [2]

CB Lavert Hill (0) [0]

S Blake Countess (0) [1]

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