The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced four transactions on Friday afternoon. Here’s an overview:
- C Jake Majors and RB Carson Steele were signed from the practice squad to the active roster.
- QB Andy Dalton was released.
- DT Uar Bernard was placed on the practice squad injured list.
Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis.
JAKE MAJORS
Of the two practice squad promotions, Majors is the more significant one because he’s expected to start at center on Sunday. With Cam Jurgens traded away and Drew Kendall out due to a knee injury, Majors is the Eagles’ third-string option at the pivot. Majors, who entered the NFL last year as an undrafted rookie free agent, will be making
his NFL regular season debut on Sunday. He played better in the preseason than he did in training camp practices this summer, which isn’t really saying much.
CARSON STEELE
Steele was a rare fun player to watch during the Eagles’ preseason games. The running back/fullback hybrid led the team in receiving this summer with 14 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. There were multiple plays where he hurdled defenders to pick up extra yardage.
There was some concern another team might claim Steele on waivers after the Eagles cut him … but that didn’t happen. He instead signed to the Eagles’ practice squad, where he’s been since getting this call up.
Steele figures to be RB3 behind Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce (who was also called up from the practice squad earleir this week) in Week 5 with Saquon Barkley ruled out and Tank Bigsby on injured reserve. Most of his action will probably come on special teams.
ANDY DALTON
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have interest in bringing Dalton back on the practice squad. Why? No.
Dalton, who turns 39 later this month, just isn’t good at this point in his career. It never made sense for the Eagles to keep him as their QB2. Kudos to them for finally waking up and cutting him. But the team wasted reps while splitting them between Dalton and Tanner McKee this summer. They could’ve gone to one player to actually prepare them to be QB2. That should’ve taken a higher priority than trying to potentially flip one of Dalton or McKee for a meager trade return.
Anyway, at least he’s gone for now.
UAR BERNARD
Bernard apparently got hurt in practice. He’ll miss some time. Putting him on this list doesn’t free up a practice squad spot since he was already not counting against the limit with his international exemption.
