Reloading
Goedert Misses Practice; Several Eagles Roster Moves
PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles returned to the practice field on Wednesday, kicking off what’s expected to be an eventful week in anticipation of the highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs.
As for the injury news, RB Will Shipley (ribs) was present but standing idly off to the side. Another notable absence was TE Dallas Goedert, who wasn’t present during the media attended portion of practice. Multiple reports indicate Goedert will be listed with a “knee” designation.
Quarterback Tanner McKee (right thumb) still wasn’t throwing.
ITB Photos: Newly-acquired RB Tank Bigsby was at the first Eagles’ practice of the week.
In a positive development, LG Landon Dickerson (back) was participating in some capacity. Dickerson exited Thursday’s game with a back injury and was replaced by veteran Brett Toth.
In the absence of FB Ben VanSumeren, who suffered a season-ending patella tendon injury in the opener, TE Kylen Granson moonlighted at fullback in the opener. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo on Tuesday indicated the role will still exist but interestingly included another player worth monitoring.
“He can fill that role, and [TE] Cam Latu, he can fill that role as well,” he said. “We have guys that can definitely fill that role and I think it’s something we can continue to do.”
It’s worth noting that I spotted Latu, previously wearing No. 87, now sporting No. 36. I also noticed the third-year pro blocking on the first team kick return unit. The two kick returners, with Shipley sidelined, were RB Tank Bigsby and WR John Metchie III.
As the Roster Churns
In what has become commonplace in the past six weeks, the Eagles struck another trade Monday evening, acquiring Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bigsby in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2026 sixth-round pick. Bigsby, a third-round pick in 2023, last season rushed for 766 yards. The 24-year-old is expected to garner looks as a kick returner and will provide cost-effective depth behind Saquon Barkley and Shipley. Bigsby was issued No. 37.
In a corresponding move, the team waived second-year defensive tackle Gabe Hall from the 53-man roster. Hall, 24, made the active roster on the heels of an impressive summer. Against the Cowboys, the Baylor product logged five snaps.
Perhaps guarding against the possibility of Hall being claimed, the Eagles added an interior lineman to the practice squad Wednesday morning, signing defensive tackle Jacob Sykes. To make room, the team released cornerback Eli Ricks.
Sykes, who spent the summer with the Eagles, had some positive moments in camp despite limited opportunities. An applied mathematics and economics major at Harvard, Sykes also played under former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly at UCLA before signing with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 as a rookie free agent. The 26-year-old initially arrived in Philadelphia after spending a season in the UFL, where he played for the San Antonio Brahmas.
In other practice squad news, the Eagles on Tuesday released running back Montrell Johnson and signed C/G Jake Majors to fill his spot. Majors (6-3, 306), signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a rookie free agent during the spring following a five-year career at Texas. Majors now gives the Eagles three rookie offensive linemen on the practice squad, with Hollin Pierce and international exemption Luke Felix-Fualalo rounding out the trio.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com
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