Eagles sign Patrick Johnson to roster and make 3 practice squad moves

The Philadelphia Eagles announced four roster moves on Monday afternoon. Here’s an overview:

EDGE Patrick Johnson was signed from the Eagles’ practice squad to the active roster.
RB Montrell Johnson and OL Hollin Pierce were signed to the practice squad.
WR Elijah Cooks was released from the practice squad.

Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis.

PATRICK JOHNSON

Johnson was a bit of a surprise cut when the Eagles initially trimmed their roster down from 90 players to 53 in late August. He basically did everything within reason to justify making the team as a rotational edge rusher and special teams contributor. With Johnson not subject to waivers as a vested veteran, the Eagles signed him to their initial practice

squad. They then temporarily elevated him to the Week 1 game day roster to be a fourth edge rusher behind Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Joshua Uche. Johnson was notably active over Azeez Ojulari and Ogbo Okoronkwo, who were both healthy scratches. With the Eagles signing veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, Johnson figures to see a decreased role on defense as the fifth edge rusher. But he’ll likely still help out on special teams, where the Eagles just lost a key player with Ben VanSumeren going down for the season.

The Eagles had an open roster spot to fill after waiving Kenyon Green over the weekend. With the team reportedly working out Mike Hilton, they could open another spot for him by waiving one of Ojulari or Okoronkwo.

MONTRELL JOHNSON

As an undrafted rookie free agent running back, Johnson had some nice moments in training camp and the Eagles’ preseason finale. Some wondered if the Eagles might keep him on the roster as RB4 but that never seemed likely. Johnson wasn’t even brought back on the practice squad … until now.

Johnson’s return could be related to Will Shipley suffering a ribs injury in Week 1. Saquon Barkley and A.J. Dillon are the two healthy running backs on the roster. The Eagles also have Audric Estimé on the practice squad.

HOLLIN PIERCE

The Eagles cut Pierce five days ago. At the time, we wrote:

It’s possible he does return in the future. Howie Roseman likes to shuffle the bottom of the practice squad to essentially work around the 17-player limit.

And now the big man is back.

Trenton makes, the Eagles takes.

ELIJAH COOKS

The Eagles had four wide receivers on their practice squad after signing Javon Baker last week. They didn’t need that many, hence Cooks’ departure.