Official: Eagles cut roster down to 53 players

The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced a slew of roster moves on Saturday afternoon in order to cut down to the regular season 53-player limit. Here’s an overview of the action.

INJURY DESIGNATIONS

OG Brandon Brooks to reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP)

WAIVED

The following players will be subject to waivers.

OT Prince Tega Wanogho

TE Noah Togiai

CB Sidney Jones

CB Rasul Douglas

DE Joe Ostman

DE Shareef Miller

OG Sua Opeta

DT Anthony Rush

DT Raequan Williams

ANALYSIS

• Alshon Jeffery avoiding PUP is a surprise. The latest report indicates the veteran wide receiver “isn’t expected to ready until October at the earliest.” The team’s actions suggests he’ll be ready earlier. The Eagles are also reportedly still trying to trade him. Keeping him on the 53 could boost his trade value.
• Brooks to PUP was obviously expected; he suffered an Achilles tear in mid-June. There seems to be some hope about a late season return. That’s an ambitious goal and hardly guaranteed but who am I to count out the incredibly resilient Brooks?
• Typed some thoughts about the Jones, Douglas, and Miller cuts in a separate post. Short version: Jones didn’t deserve to make the team, Douglas is flawed and not versatile, and Miller was never much to be all that excited about.
• Ostman deserved to be on this roster. He had a really good camp for the second year in a row and he can help on special teams. Avery making it over him is laughable; he did nothing good in camp. It’s possible the Eagles could place Avery on injured reserve to open up a roster spot and bring Ostman bring if he goes unclaimed. Hopefully that’s the case.
• Will Parks and Jalen Reagor are also candidates to go on injured reserve to open up some roster spots. They can be activated from the IR list as soon as 21 days after going on.
• The Eagles keeping six safeties — including Rudy Ford and Marcus Epps — is a bit of a surprise. It certainly doesn’t bode well for Parks’ injury status. The Eagles like Ford for his special teams ability but he was a disaster in that regard before suffering a season-ending injury in 2020. Epps seems like a fringe NFL talent who missed a good chunk of this year’s camp with an injury.
• Nine of the Eagles 10 picks from the 2020 NFL Draft made the roster. PTW was the only one who didn’t and they’ll likely try to get him back on the practice squad. None of the Eagles’ undrafted rookie free agents made the team.
• The Eagles going with only two tight ends shouldn’t be a shock. First, they still might add a third guy (by re-signing Richard Rodgers?). They also only kept two on the roster for most of 2019, even after an unexpected Dallas Goedert pregame injury left Zach Ertz as the only tight end in Week 2.
• Surprised to see Alex Singleton make the team. Nothing against him; good backup linebacker and special teams contributor to have. But felt like he would’ve safely made it to the practice squad.
• Craig James earned his spot on this team and his recent contract extension.