Eagles Finalize 2026 Practice Squad Roster
Source: NBC10 Philadelphia Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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The Philadelphia Eagles have completed the first phase of roster construction following the league-mandated cutdown to 53 players. Sunday's 6 p.m. deadline forced the team to trim their 90-man roster, and now the focus shifts to building a practice squad that can provide depth and developmental opportunities throughout the 2026 season.
Practice squads can hold a maximum of 16 players, with an additional spot available for an international exemption. The Eagles announced 13 signings on Monday, with a 14th player — defensive tackle Uar Bernard — reportedly agreeing to terms. Bernard, a seventh-round pick from the International Player Pathway program, cleared waivers and will remain in Philadelphia. The Nigerian native, still relatively new to football, possesses remarkable physical gifts and will continue his development under defensive line coach Clint Hurtt.
Another IPP prospect, outside linebacker Joshua Weru, actually flashed more during the summer. The former Kenyan rugby player turned in a productive training camp and made noticeable plays in preseason games. His development will be a key storyline for the Eagles' coaching staff.
Seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski, a safety from Texas Tech, missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury before returning only to suffer a concussion in the preseason. Had he stayed healthy, he might have had a legitimate shot at making the active roster. Fellow seventh-rounder Keyshawn James-Newby, an outside linebacker from New Mexico, also missed significant time with an ankle injury but flashed in limited practices and in the final preseason game. The Eagles opted to keep veteran players on the active roster ahead of him.
Linebacker Chance Campbell, a favorite of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, returns to the practice squad for the second straight season. Fangio had previously told reporters not to count Campbell out when projecting the 53-man roster, but Campbell ended up on the practice squad instead. He was added late last summer and proved to be a valuable scout team player.
Return specialist Britain Covey is back on the practice squad for another season. At 29, Covey is arguably the Eagles' best option as a punt returner, though he would need to be elevated from the practice squad to contribute early in the season. He has returned 79 career punts and averages 11.3 yards per return.
Veteran running back Dameon Pierce, released as a vested veteran, does not have to clear waivers and is reportedly signing back with the Eagles' practice squad after a strong finish to his preseason. Pierce missed time in training camp with an injury but had 44 yards on just four carries in Friday night's preseason finale.
Defensive tackle Gabe Hall, who made the Eagles' initial 53-man roster a year ago before eventually landing on the practice squad, will begin the 2026 season in the same spot. Center/guard Jake Majors, who took reps all summer with the second team at both guard and center, provides depth on the expanded 70-man roster. Tackle John Ojukwu, who played in 16 games (nine starts) from 2023 to 2025, offers versatility after working at tackle and guard during camp.
Undrafted free agent safety Maximus Pulley from Wofford had a solid training camp but was buried as a third-team safety. He possesses ball skills and will continue to develop. Running back Carson Steele, a former Chief, had an electric preseason, especially as a receiver out of the backfield, but the Eagles kept just three running backs on their 53-man roster. Steele became a fan favorite during the month.
Outside linebacker Mason Reiger, who spent the summer with the Dolphins after going undrafted out of Wisconsin, had a tryout with the Eagles this weekend and has already passed his physical. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, a former third-round pick (No. 75 overall) by the Bears out of Yale in 2024, was released at final cuts and now joins the Eagles' practice squad. The Bears reportedly tried to trade Amegadjie before cutting him, according to Jeremy Fowler. At 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, he played in six games as a rookie.
The Eagles will continue to evaluate the remaining practice squad spots, with the possibility of adding an international exemption player to bring the total to 17.
Article commentary
The Eagles' practice squad construction reflects a deliberate blend of developmental upside, positional depth, and veteran insurance. General Manager Howie Roseman and his staff have consistently used the practice squad as a farm system for raw talent and a safety net for players who barely missed the 53-man roster. The inclusion of two International Player Pathway prospects — Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru — underscores the organization's willingness to invest in long-term athletic projects. Bernard, a seventh-round pick with limited football experience, brings rare physical tools that defensive line coach Clint Hurtt can mold over time. Weru, a former rugby player, showed more immediate flashes in camp and could develop into a situational pass rusher if he continues to absorb the technical aspects of the game. The IPP program has yielded mixed results across the league, but the Eagles' patience with such players aligns with their philosophy of accumulating traits and hoping to refine them. The return of veteran running back Dameon Pierce and the addition of former Bears third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie provide immediate depth at positions of need. Pierce's 44-yard burst on four carries in the preseason finale reminded everyone of his explosive potential, even if his injury history remains a concern. Amegadjie, a former Yale standout, has the size and pedigree to develop into a swing tackle, but his rookie season in Chicago was limited. The Bears' decision to cut him after trying to trade him suggests they saw limited upside, but the Eagles' offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has a track record of extracting value from castoffs. One of the more intriguing storylines is the return of Britain Covey as a punt return specialist. At 29, Covey is not a typical practice squad player, but his value as a reliable return man means the Eagles will likely elevate him early in the season if they need a spark. His 11.3-yard career average on punts is solid, and he provides stability that the team lacked in previous years. The Eagles also retained several of their own draft picks — Cole Wisniewski, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Gabe Hall — indicating that the front office values the familiarity these players have with the system. Wisniewski's injury-plagued camp is a disappointment, but he could be a candidate for a mid-season roster promotion if he gets healthy. James-Newby's flash plays in limited action suggest he could be a developmental edge rusher, though he needs to stay on the field. Perhaps the most notable omission from the practice squad is any quarterback. The Eagles kept only three quarterbacks on the active roster, and with Tanner McKee likely serving as the third-stringer, the team may feel comfortable rolling with just two signal-callers on the practice squad or relying on a veteran free agent later. The lack of a developmental QB on the practice squad could be a short-term gamble, but it allows the team to stockpile depth elsewhere. Overall, the Eagles' practice squad is a mix of high-upside projects, proven veterans, and players who were on the cusp of the 53-man roster. The team's ability to call up players on game days will be tested early in the season, especially if injuries strike. The next few weeks will reveal whether any of these players can force their way onto the active roster, but for now, the Eagles have built a practice squad that mirrors their roster philosophy: prioritize athleticism, invest in development, and never underestimate the value of a reliable veteran.