The Squad

The Eagles worked quickly to fill their 17-man practice squad, establishing all but four spots on Monday afternoon. By Tuesday, the remaining spots were filled, including three external additions.

The Eagles view the practice squad as an extension of the active roster, seeking players with tools and developmental upside that can not only offer quality looks on the scout team, but also factor as potential contributors down the line. As you’ll see, this group is comprised of mostly youth, with an exception or two.

Here’s a closer look at all 17 players comprising the initial iteration of the Eagles’ practice squad.

The Eagles lured explosive former Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue onto their practice squad, perhaps with 2027 on their mind.

OT Kiran Amegadjie

A 2024 third-round pick of the Chicago Bears out of Yale, Amegadije, 24, is a bit of an enigma. The 6-foot-5, 326-pounder comes equipped with length and athleticism – Amegadije’s arm length measured in at 36 1/8 – but injuries and inconsistencies seemingly forced the Bears’ hand. Amegadije boasts a limited resume, appearing in just six games (one start), but this is a quintessential dart throw for any practice squad. Offensive line coach Chris Kuper has another toolsy developmental lineman to work with.

DT Uar Bernard

Bernard, a 2026 seventh-round pick, donned a football helmet for the first time ever just months ago. Think about that. And as Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will tell you, Bernard has a long road ahead, though the potential payoff for the patience and investment is tantalizing. The Eagles, who prioritize player development, have the necessary infrastructure in place to support Bernard’s growth. A year on the practice field, and in meetings, will be invaluable for his development.

RB Jaydon Blue

Blue, 22, was a 2025 fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys. As a rookie, he carried 38 times for 129 yards and a touchdown, while compiling another 72 returning kicks. The 5-foot-9, 198-pound Blue is lightning quick in the open field and has a natural feel for the pass game. The Texas product also brings value as a returner. While it didn’t work out for Blue in Dallas, who gave him a quick hook, he’ll get a fresh start in Philadelphia. An intriguing addition, at least on paper.

LB Chance Campbell

Smart and instinctive, Campbell, 26, enjoyed a productive summer. In the end, though, there just wasn’t room for five off-ball linebackers on the Eagles’ 53-man roster, a byproduct of a numbers game in a deep position room. Campbell, lauded for his work last season on the scout team, will have another opportunity this season to give the starters quality looks throughout the week. My sense with Campbell, fueled by Fangio’s comments earlier this summer, is that he’s someone the staff likes and trusts.

ITB PHOTO: Britain Covey is back on the Birds’ practice squad because of punt return value.

WR Britain Covey

Beloved by teammates, Covey, 29, at least begins the season on the Eagles’ practice squad. I wrote “begins” because, without a slam-dunk punt return option on the 53, one would presume there’s a good chance Covey is elevated early in the season. The NFL’s punt return leader in 2023, Covey, who has returned 79 career punts, carries a career average of 11.3 yards per return. His preparation with regard to the intricacies of the return game is unmatched, highlighted by his decision making. The veteran also doubles as a receiver.

WR Danny Gray

Gray, 27, spent parts of the past two seasons on the Eagles’ practice squad. A 2022 third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Gray offers 4.3 speed and a competitiveness that is sure to bring some added juice to practice. During his time on the Eagles’ practice squad, Gray developed a reputation for being an effective practice player.

For context, below are quotes from Eagles DBs Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell from my story on Gray in 2024:

“He’s fast,” Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean said. “Real fast guy down the field. Challenges you down the field, and then when you run short routes, he does it so fast that you’ve got to be able to stop on a dime against him.

“But he’s given us a lot of great looks throughout the weeks that he’s been here, which is good. I think it’s helped our defense a lot. Just how fast he is, how he can get down the field, he can get across the field. And he’s quick, too, at the line when you’re trying to press – which is something that I’ve needed to work on. Press with those quicker guys who can move quickly at the line of scrimmage. So he’s helped a lot.”

“Man, since he’s been here, he’s just getting us right,” Mitchell said. “Every day he comes into work and stuff like that. I feel like he gives us great looks that helps us go on and compete in the game.”

DT Gabe Hall

Hall, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024, has 53-man roster ability, but the third-year defensive lineman fell victim to the Eagles’ depth in the trenches. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound Hall offers great length – his wingspan measures out to 83 5/8 – and positional versatility, providing value to the scout team. His most recent training camp was generally quiet, certainly relative to last summer, but Hall can play. On the practice squad, Hall, who appeared in two games last season, is an extension of a loaded defensive line room.

OLB Keyshawn James-Newby

James-Newby, one of the Eagles’ three seventh-round picks this spring, is an interesting prospect. He’s a bit on the older side for rookies at 24, but enjoyed a productive college career, combining for 33.5 sacks at the collegiate level during his time at Montana Tech, Idaho and New Mexico. An ankle injury deprived him of most of his first training camp, but James-Newby returned in time for the preseason finale, showcasing his 4.5 speed and closing ability. He also logged an interception early in camp. It can be argued that if he’d remained healthy, James-Newby would’ve made a serious roster push. Regardless, the Eagles were able to get him back on the practice squad, where he’ll continue to develop.

CB Robert Longerbeam

Longerbeam, a Rutgers product, was a 2025 sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, though a knee injury sidelined him for the entirety of his rookie campaign. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound cornerback tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine, producing a 4.39 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump. A twitchy athlete and instinctive cover corner, Longerbeam, 25, profiles as an ideal developmental prospect with notable tools to work with. Fun fact: I attended Longerbeam’s Pro Day in March of 2025, which also showcased former Eagles offensive lineman Hollin Pierce.

After the workout at Rutgers’ indoor facility, I asked Longerbeam where he felt he developed most:

“My ability to play man coverage,” he said. “Coming in at receiver, I’m not really used to this. But I always played DB and wanted to, so once I got the opportunity to play man, I just felt like I got better with reps. Guarding different people, body types and all that.”

Eagles C/G Jake Majors impressed in his cross-training this summer, but couldn’t make the 53.

C/G Jake Majors

Majors, who originally signed as an undrafted free agent last spring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joined the Eagles’ practice squad last September. The Texas product, who achieved a program record for most starts in a career (56) is a center by trade, but cross-trained at guard in his first training camp with the Eagles, operating exclusively with the second unit. Majors showed promise, but with 10 offensive linemen ahead in the pecking order – including 2026 sixth-rounder Micah Morris – there just wasn’t room to carry him on the 53-man roster. Frankly, I thought Majors had a real shot of being claimed, but he returns for another year on the practice squad, where he’ll look to build on an encouraging summer.

T John Ojukwu

The Eagles signed Ojukwu to a reserve/future contract back in January. A 2023 rookie free agent signing of the Tennessee Titans, Ojukwu appeared in 16 games (nine starts) in three seasons. With the Eagles, Ojukwu demonstrated his versatility, repping at both left and right tackle, as well as moonlighting inside at guard. He had some bright moments in practice, but like Majors he got caught in a number’s crunch. Ojukwu, 27, adds experience and positional versatility to the scout team. Of the players on the bubble in the offensive line room, Ojukwu and Majors performed well enough to warrant an opportunity to remain with the organization in some capacity. He’ll be a valuable addition to the practice squad.

RB Dameon Pierce

Pierce, 26, dazzled early in camp before a hamstring injury shelved him for much of the summer. All things equal, it would have been tough to justify carrying four running backs, as three were locked into defined roles. The veteran running back has a career total of 419 carries and 1,684 rushing yards, giving the Eagles the luxury of an experienced on standby. In the preseason finale, Pierce flashed as an inside runner, where his acceleration and power were most pronounced.

S Maximus Pulley

Pulley, a 2026 rookie free agent signing, had some bright moments in camp. Over the 17 practices and three preseason games, the Wofford product proved he belongs, bringing a gritty mentality to the practice field while also showcasing a nose for the football. The 23-year-old never really emerged from the third team, but there are obvious developmental qualities that demand a longer look. For reference, the Eagles have three safeties on the 53-man roster, with do-it-all defensive back Cooper DeJean stepping in at the position when the Eagles are in base. Like Andre’ Sam and Brandon Johnson last season, Pulley could be elevated at some point this season.

OLB Mason Reiger

Reiger, 24, was a post-draft signing of the Miami Dolphins. The 6-foot-5, 251-pounder began his career at Louisville before finishing at Wisconsin, where he collected five sacks in his final season. Reiger, obviously, wasn’t in Philadelphia for training camp, but his college tape showed a quick and technical edge rusher. Reiger participated in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where he produced a 4.78 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical and 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Despite a strong showing in the preseason, RB Carson Steele wasn’t part of the roster cutdown but was brought back to the practice squad.

RB Carson Steele

A preseason standout, Steele demonstrated his flair for pass-catching, leading the team in receiving through the three exhibition games. Steele also produced a couple of highlights along the way, hurdling defenders and running with balance and power. The reality, though, is that Steele, 23, was also behind Pierce and would have probably had to excel on special teams to elbow his way into roster consideration. Preseason performance counts in the evaluation process, sure, but practice matters more. In the end, Steele cleared waivers and gives the Eagles a versatile option out of the backfield if needed.

OLB Joshua Weru

Like Bernard, Weru requires the benefit of time and patience, as he too is brand new to the sport. Still, the Kenyan native generated plenty of buzz with his athleticism and fluidity, even notching a sack in the preseason. Weru has a rugby background and is a bit further ahead than Bernard, but his development will also be a long-term project. Weru will have an opportunity to continue his NFL journey in Philadelphia alongside his good friend in Bernard. Their growth throughout the season will certainly be fun to monitor.

S Cole Wisniewski

Wisniewski, another 2026 seventh-round pick, sustained a hamstring injury early in camp that sidelined him for most of the summer. After returning, Wisniewski, 24, would then suffer a concussion, keeping him out of the preseason finale. There wasn’t enough practice time for me to properly assess his skill set or fit within Fangio’s defense, but his body type – Wisniewski is listed at 6-foot-3, 219 pounds – differentiates himself from others in the room. What Wisniewski needs most right now is practice reps, which he’ll get plenty of this season.

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