The Eagles are working hard ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and among some of the roster decisions they’re making, they’ve placed veteran safety Marcus Epps and OLB Azeez Olujai on the injured reserve
list — moves they announced while also dropping the news of the Jaire Alexander trade.
Epps was placed on IR Saturday with an undisclosed injury after re-joining the team just ahead of the regular season. The safety was elevated from the practice squad the first three games, and was then added to the active roster. He predominantly took special teams snaps (119) and didn’t have many opportunities on defense (15 snaps).
As for Ojulari, the OLB suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 against the Vikings, and must need more time to heal. The edge rush depth has taken a lot of hits, with Ojulari being the most recent, but they’re hopeful to get Nolan Smith back from IR soon, and Brandon Graham should be sneaking into the rotation in Week 10. Otherwise, the group is Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson, and Joshua Uche, with rookie Jihaad Campbell bouncing out to the edge in certain packages. With the trade deadline days away, the Eagles are reportedly on the phones trying to add an edge rusher, with a few players of interest.
Now, Epps and Ojulari will each miss at least the next four games, but time will tell if their injuries — or the roster — will allow for their return this season.
