Roster Trim Begins

 

With Tuesday’s deadline to bring the roster from 90 to 53 coming soon, the Philadelphia Eagles are getting ahead of the game by finalizing their tight end room.

The team is releasing Dan Arnold and waived Tyree Jackson, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

The #Eagles also are waiving TE Tyree Jackson, per source. An intriguing athlete who had five catches for 72 yards in the preseason and could get claimed.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2023

The #Eagles are releasing veteran TE Dan Arnold, per source. Arnold is still only 28 and Philly is doing the vet a solid by getting him out there before the rush.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 26, 2023

Both entered camp with a chance to make the Birds as the third tight end behind Dallas Goedert and Jack Stoll, but neither could unseat 2022 sixth round pick Grant Calcaterra.

Arnold offers a similar skillset to Calcaterra as a receiver, but did not particularly stand out in camp after signing a one-year deal in May. The 28-year-old will now be looking for his sixth NFL team.

Jackson’s journey with the Eagles began in 2021, converting to TE from quarterback. Multiple injuries including a torn ACL derailed his progress and chances to see the field, only playing in 14 games over two seasons, but he was still able to impress throughout the ’23 preseason with multiple big catches.

While the moves give both an early chance to latch onto another team’s 53-man roster, they could be considered potential practice squad candidates if they find themselves free agents on Tuesday.

The Eagles are also beginning to narrow down the wide receiver room, waiving Johnny King and Freddie Swain, according to ITB’s Andrew DiCecco, as well as Deon Cain, per Jeff McLane.

#Eagles have waived WR Freddie Swain, source confirms.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) August 27, 2023

The #Eagles are waiving WR Johnny King, per source.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) August 26, 2023

#Eagles are releasing WR Deon Cain, an NFL source said.

Number released today should be around 20, bringing the roster to 70ish. Bubble players should have practices Sunday and Monday to make last impression before 53-man deadline on Tuesday 4 p.m.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 26, 2023

It was a quick five-day stint in Philly for Freddie Swain, signed to be a body for the final preseason game where he caught six passes for 33 yards.

King was signed to the roster during training camp and was a surprising standout at times. While he only made two catches during the preseason, he made both count with the first going for 33 yards and the second going for 21.

Cain was brought back during training camp but had more experienced in Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s system, spending time under him with the Colts as well as the Eagles’ practice squad in 2022. Both may very well end up on the practice squad for the ’23 season.

The Birds also made the expected move of releasing QB Ian Book, per Jeff McLane.

#Eagles have started to release players today. TEs Tyree Jackson and Dan Arnold have already cut, per @TomPelissero. QB Ian Book was also released, to no surprise, an NFL source said.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 26, 2023

Book entered camp having to beat out 2023 sixth round pick Tanner McKee for a spot on the 53, but was unable to with McKee’s progress and solid showings during each preseason game.

If Book is not picked up by another team, the fourth round pick from the 2021 draft could easily find himself back on the Eagles’ practice squad after developing him for over a year.

The cuts later continued with the release of several offensive linemen.

#Eagles are releasing several veteran offensive linemen who could have value for other teams on the waiver wire: Dennis Kelly, Brett Toth, and Josh Andrews, per NFL sources.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 26, 2023

#Eagles are releasing OL Tyrese Robinson, an NFL source said.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 26, 2023

OL Cameron Tom will be released, according to a source. Tom was on the team's practice squad and, although it is too soon to tell, could be destined to return

— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) August 26, 2023

Andrews is the most surprising of the names. With Cam Jurgens as the starting right guard, the veteran Andrews was the only other player on the 90-man roster behind Jason Kelce who had any NFL experience at playing center, leaving the question of who steps in if Kelce, the team’s iron man, is injured and unable to play.

Backup center Cameron Tom is also on the way out, per NJ.com.

It’s possible the team brings Andrews back on the practice squad and elevates him for a few weeks before figuring out a long-term solution behind Kelce.

Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland historically does not like flipping players to a different position in the middle of a game or season.

While Kelly and Toth both had NFL experience at tackle, especially Kelly with 54 career starts to his name, the writing was on the wall when the team gave a two-year deal to Fred Johnson.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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