Eagles sign a FULLBACK to the practice squad

!!!

The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced some practice squad changes on Tuesday afternoon. Here’s an overview:

• FB Khari Blasingame was signed to the practice squad.
• WR John Ross was released from practice squad injured reserve.

Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis.

KHARI BLASINGAME

A fullback!!!!!

Awesome.

Blasingame, 28, is a six-year NFL veteran after entering the league as an undrafted rookie free agent signing in 2019. Playing for the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, he’s logged 21 starts over 66 career games.

Blasingame’s career stats are naturally sparse since he’s primarily served as a lead blocker. Here they are anyway:

• Receiving: 19 targets, 13 receptions, 99 yards (7.6 average), 0 TD
• Rushing: 11 carries, 32 yards (2.9 average), 0 TD, 1 fumble

That’s on 687 career offensive snaps. He’s also played 860 special teams snaps.

The Bears released Blasingame after he played in just two games this season.

Now in Philly, Blasingame could help the Eagles fill the void left behind by hybrid fullback/linebacker Ben VanSumeren, who suffered a season-ending injury in practice late last week. BVS had been doing a nice job of lead blocking on some Saquon Barkley runs. BVS was also doing a nice job of contributing on special teams, where Blasingame can contribute as well.

The Eagles tried to use Grant Calcaterra as a fullback against the Baltimore Ravens but he’s not known for his blocking prowess. The Eagles will also have Calcaterra focusing on being the top tight end while Dallas Goedert misses multiple games due to injury.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Eagles temporarily elevate Blasingame to the roster to have him available for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

JOHN ROSS

Ross was placed on the practice squad IR list back in mid-October. Instead of using an activation on the veteran wide receiver, the team apparently decided to cut ties.

Ross played 12 snaps for the Eagles back in Week 4 when A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Britain Covey were all out due to injury.

EAGLES PRACTICE SQUAD

Each player below is eligible to be temporarily elevated to the active roster up to three times unless otherwise noted.

FB Khari Blasingame

TE C.J. Uzomah (zero elevations remaining)

TE E.J. Jenkins (zero elevations remaining)

OLB Ochaun Mathis (two elevations remaining)

DE KJ Henry

DE Tarron Jackson

LB Dallas Gant

DB Tariq Castro-Fields

CB Parry Nickerson

WR Danny Gray

DB A.J. Woods

RB Tyrion Davis-Price

DT Gabe Hall

S Andre’ Sam

T/G Brett Toth

OT Laekin Vakalahi (international exemption)