Preparation for Monday night.
The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced four roster moves ahead of their Week 2 Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons. An overview:
- OL Nick Gates to signed from the practice squad to the active roster.
- WR Parris Campbell and TE E.J. Jenkins were temporarily elevated from the practice squad.
- OLB Patrick Johnson was waived.
Note: teams can temporarily promote practice squad players up to three times each in the regular season and an unlimited number of times in the postseason.
Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis.
NICK GATES
The Eagles temporarily elevated Gates from the practice squad to be their backup center in Week 1. They could’ve done that maneuver up to two more times if they didn’t need to use their elevations at other positions.
Gates will serve as Cam Jurgens’ top backup. He can also play guard if he’s needed in that capacity.
PARRIS CAMPBELL
With A.J. Brown officially ruled out and Johnny Wilson questionable to play, the Eagles only have three healthy wide receivers on their active roster: DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, and Britain Covey. They clearly needed to add another player at this position.
Campbell is certainly an experienced player with 27 starts over 44 career games played. One would imagine he won’t see too many targets, if any, but he’s around in case injuries force him into action. Jalen Hurts wasn’t really reluctant to throw to him during offseason practices, so, there’s some level of trust there.
E.J. JENKINS
For the second week in a row, the Eagles are temporarily elevating Jenkins to be the third tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. Jenkins played three offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps in Week 1.
PATRICK JOHNSON
A little surprising to see the Eagles waive Johnson, who earned his spot on the roster with a strong preseason (including his strip-sack that set up a Jake Elliott redemption field goal for a win over the Baltimore Ravens). Johnson did not play any defensive snaps in Week 1 but he did log 24 special teams snaps, which was 77% of that unit’s total. It would not be surprising if Johnson ends up getting claimed off waivers.
Johnson’s dismissal opened up the spot for Gates to be signed to the active roster. It also opens the door for rookie Jalyx Hunt, who was a healthy scratch last week, to make his NFL regular debut on Monday night. In addition to playing on special teams, Hunt will be fifth in the edge rusher pecking order.
