With the Philadelphia Eagles releasing running back Audric Estimé and wide receiver Javon Baker from the practice squad on Tuesday, the team had two spots to fill.
And now the team officially has two new practice squad additions: tight end Jaheim Bell and edge rusher Titus Leo.
Bell, 24, was a seventh-round pick (No. 231 overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft. Logging 83 offensive snaps and 176 special teams snaps as a rookie, Bell caught two of his three targets for 20 yards. Here’s a pre-draft scouting report on Bell via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:
Undersized as a tight end and lacking instincts as a lead blocker out of the backfield, Bell is a player without a clean positional fit after playing all over the field at South Carolina and Florida State. When Bell centers in and locks up, he can be an effective blocker, but he is wildly inconsistent when asked to make blocks on the move in space. He’s tight-hipped, but he does have the speed to run the seams and is a talented runner after the catch. He might need to find a modified gadget role and really show out on special teams to make a squad.
Ah, a depth tight end who can’t be counted on to block well, the Eagles’ favorite.
Maybe the team sees some fullback potential in Bell? Or maybe they just wanted some more tight end depth given that Dallas Goedert is prone to missing time and Grant Calcaterra is currently banged up?
Leo, 26, was a sixth-round pick (No. 211 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft. He missed his entire rookie season due to injury. The Patriots then signed him off Indy’s practice squad in 2024. Leo played nine defensive snaps and 77 special teams snaps in four games last season, logging four total tackles (one TFL) and one pass deflection. Here’s a pre-draft scouting report on him via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:
Edge defender prospect with long arms, an explosive first punch and room for improvement as a pass rusher. Leo goes hard into first contact and can separate from blocks fairly quickly, but he’s tight-hipped, lacking the bend and the base strength to hold up against power at the point of attack. He challenges the pocket with a variety of rush angles, but his get-off and hand work might not yet be good enough to impress NFL evaluators. Leo might need seasoning on a practice squad.
The Eagles are obviously thin at edge rusher with Za’Darius Smith unexpectedly retiring on Monday, plus Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo going on injured reserve. Leo likely isn’t ready to be a meaningful contributor but the team needs more practice bodies at this position and here’s a guy with some theoretical upside.
EAGLES PRACTICE SQUAD
Each player below is eligible to be temporarily elevated to the active roster up to three times in the regular season unless otherwise noted.
DT Gabe Hall (two elevations remaining)
TE Jaheim Bell
LB Chance Campbell
CB Tariq Castro-Fields
WR Britain Covey
TE E.J. Jenkins
CB Brandon Johnson
C/G Jake Majors
EDGE Titus Leo
WR Terrace Marshall
QB Kyle McCord
OL Hollin Pierce
EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
S Andre’ Sam
CB Ambry Thomas
WR Quez Watkins
OT Luke Felix-Fualalo (international exemption)
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