Introducing Your 2024 Eagles … For Now

Tuesday’s roster cutdown to 53 lacked major surprises for the Eagles, who announced their wave of cuts to comply with the NFL deadline.

Injuries took the guesswork out for some.

Rookie wide receiver Ainias Smith, a fifth-round pick from Texas A&M, was placed on injured reserve because of an ankle injury, per PHLY. Same for tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who underwent a core muscle repair, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Second-year safety Sydney Brown will open the season on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) list as he continues his rehab from ACL surgery. Brown missed all of training camp and will be sidelined at least the first four games of the season.

James Bradberry managed to make the 53-man roster despite moving from corner to safety, but remember, the team’s current 53-man roster could easily change over the next few days – and in the next week – based on any players the team claims off waivers or other injuries and transactions.

Here’s an analysis of the Eagles’ initial 53;

Offense (22)

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee

Nothing to see here. Will Grier was always a camp body.

Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley

There were some bright spots for Tyrion Davis-Price and Lew Nichols at camp, but it would’ve nearly impossible for them, or anyone else, to unseat Gainwell and rookie fourth-rounder Shipley. No reason to keep more than three, so look for TDP and Nichols to perhaps sign back to the practice squad.

Wide receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson

Injured reserve: Ainias Smith

For now, the Eagles will carry five wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster. Smith, according to a report from PHLY, will be placed on injured reserve following MRI results that revealed an ankle injury. Smith reportedly noted pain in his ankle and hamstring following Saturday’s preseason finale. The expected timeline for recovery is 4-6 weeks. The fifth-round rookie is eligible to return this season, but the timing on the injury afforded the Eagles with an additional roster spot to utilize. Look for at least two more wide receivers to join the practice squad.

Tight end (2): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra

Second-year tight end E.J. Jenkins was a notable omission, leaving the Eagles relatively thin at the position. Jenkins put together a nice summer and emerged as the clear front-runner for the third tight end role. Provided he clears waivers, Jenkins would appear to be a good bet to return on the practice squad. I’d expect the team to roster an additional two on the practice squad, or perhaps even look outside the organization to round out the room (Jack Stoll?).

Offensive line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Darian Kinnard

The Eagles go heavy in the trenches, prioritizing youth and upside in an apparent play to avoid waiver wire exposure. While the Eagles are a bit banged up along the interior — the last time we saw Steen (ankle) and Keegan (hip) they were sidelined — but my understanding is that Keegan’s injury isn’t expected to affect his Week 1 availability. Kinnard, 24, demonstrated encouraging signs of development this summer and provides right tackle and guard versatility. McMahon, a 2024 sixth-round pick, was surprisingly waived, along with versatile veterans Brett Toth and Nick Gates as the team sticks with nine for now. Expect the team to try to get McMahon, Toth and Gates on the practice squad.

Defense (28)

Defensive tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu, Thomas Booker IV

Last summer, the Eagles kept seven defensive tackles on the initial 53, and with six rostered — at the moment, anyway — the team continues its trend of loading up in the trenches. Ojomo, a second-year pro, had one of the better camps of anyone on the roster, and while Tuipulotu was quieter by comparison, the fourth-year pro also had a nice camp. The latter sticks as a backup nose tackle. If the evaluation is truly about who performed best, it would have been difficult for the Eagles to move off of Booker, who turned in an eye-opening summer and brings with him a refined pass-rush and alignment versatility. This group appears set at the moment, though the Eagles could always opt to add a veteran for depth in place of either Booker or Tuipulotu.

EDGE (6): Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson

The only question going into camp was if newcomer Julian Okwara could unseat special teams phenom Patrick Johnson for the sixth spot. The former Lions edge rusher showed some flashes, but Okwara couldn’t knock out Johnson, who also showcased improvement as a pass rusher.

Linebacker (5): Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben Vansumeren

Veteran Oren Burks made a strong final push after missing most of training camp with a knee injury but is edged out by the promising VanSumeren who had a strong summer and continues to showcase encouraging glimpses of development. Burks, 29, is a vested veteran and isn’t subject to waivers. While Burks is free to sign elsewhere, perhaps he returns on the practice squad, similar to the Nicholas Morrow situation last summer. The sample size was minimal, granted, but Burks, who shined in the preseason finale, is proven NFL vet who would need little acclimation on short notice.

Cornerback (6): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks

Ricks, who was viewed as on the bubble, takes the sixth and final spot and will be asked to be a special teams performer. The Eagles saw enough of Ricks as a rookie and throughout this offseason to believe he deserved a chance to stay and continue his development. Meanwhile, Josh Jobe’s time expired and will perhaps look to re-sign on the practice squad.

Safety (5): C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum, James Bradberry

Will Bradberry still be on the team when the season opens next Friday against the Packers? Who knows, but for now, his contract made him uncuttable for the Eagles, who for the moment aren’t taking on the dead cap. Bradberry will continue to work at safety, but the Eagles have already padded their depth there by keeping McCollum and moving Maddox there.

PUP: Sydney Brown

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.