Eagles 2024 roster cuts: Tracking roster moves through 53 Originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to reduce their roster from 91 players to 53.
This won’t be their final 53-man roster, but it’s where they should start. Many of the players released before the deadline will end up on the 16-man practice squad.
We will follow the movements as they occur:
• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Rookie WR Ainias Smith ‘reported ankle and hamstring discomfort’ Following the end of preseason, Smith is undergoing an MRI and is now a candidate for IR.
Released
OL Maxim Scharping: The Eagles signed Scharping in June to bolster their offensive line. He played in 79 games, including 33 starts, for the Texans and Bengals from 2019-23. Scharping primarily played tackle and guard this summer but failed to make the 53-man roster. He was one of several veteran offensive linemen in camp.
CB Parry Nickerson: The veteran nickel corner had some nice moments in training camp, his highlight being a 95-yard interception return off Tanner McKee. He wasn’t expected to make the 53-man roster, but Nickerson gave the Eagles good opportunities this summer after playing under Vic Fangio in Miami in 2023.
Quarterback Will Grier: The Eagles were never going to keep Grier, but he was in Philadelphia to help the other quarterbacks learn Kellen Moore’s offense.
Outside linebacker Julian Okwara: The 26-year-old former third-round pick of the Lions had a strong end to the preseason, but it wasn’t enough to keep him. Okwara has played in 38 games, including four starts, in his career and has nine sacks. But he fell into the deep end of the depth chart this summer.
WR John Ross: The former first-round pick had a nice story this spring and summer. After not playing since 2021, Ross attempted to make a comeback with the Eagles. He had some good moments in training camp but suffered a concussion late in camp. (Josina Anderson)
Resigned
TE EJ Jenkins: The converted wide receiver was the third-best tight end in training camp and did everything he could to make the roster, but still failed to make it. With this move, it seems likely the Eagles will have just two tight ends on their starting roster. (Mike Garafolo)
Cornerback Zech McPhearson: The veteran cornerback took to Twitter to thank Philadelphia for his time in the city. McPhearson returned this summer from an Achilles injury that cost him the 2023 season. The Eagles selected McPhearson in the fourth round of the 2021 draft out of Texas Tech. He played in 33 games in his first two years and was a major special teams contributor. (McPhearson’s Twitter)
Wide Receiver Austin Watkins: Watkins, 26, has spent time with other NFL clubs before, but was fairly deep on the Eagles’ depth chart throughout the summer. (Andrew DiCecco)
WR Griffin Hebert: Despite a strong performance in the final pre-season game, Hebert was always unlikely to make the team. (Andrew DiCecco)
FROM Tarron Jackson: The former sixth-round pick has been with the team for a long time, but hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2022. He had a decent summer, but got buried on the defenseman depth chart. (Andrew DiCecco)
S. Andre’ Sam: The LSU rookie had some really good moments this summer at a position the Eagles don’t have much depth at. (Andrew DiCecco)
TE Kevin Foelsch: The Eagles needed some additional tight ends to get through training camp and Foelsch was one of them. The Eagles acquired the New Haven product after the Jets waived him in early August. (Andrew DiCecco)
Cornerback Shon Stephens: The rookie joined the Eagles as a tryout player at rookie camp and earned a roster spot after playing in college at Ferris State and West Liberty. (Andrew DiCecco)
OL Jason Poe: The Eagles brought back Poe late in training camp when they needed some OL depth to get through practices and the final game. (Andrew DiCecco)
Running back Lew Nichols: The Central Michigan player started training camp with a strong performance, but cooled off as the summer progressed. Nichols was selected in the seventh round of the draft by the Packers in 2023, out of Central Michigan. (Andrew DiCecco)
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