The Philadelphia Eagles used both of their preseason injured-reserve return designations while completing their initial roster. Philadelphia placed cornerback Jakorian Bennett and tight end Grant Calcaterra on reserve/injured with designations to return. Both players will be eligible to return during the 2026 season but must miss at least the first four games.
Bennett has been dealing with a knee injury, while Calcaterra missed practice time because of a back injury. Neither player occupies a position on Philadelphia’s initial 53-man roster while on injured reserve.
Under NFL roster rules, teams may designate up to two players for return while placing them on an applicable reserve list during final roster reductions. Each move immediately counts
as a return designation, even if the player never returns to practice.
The mechanism allowed Philadelphia to preserve both players without carrying them on the initial roster and waiting until the following day to make the injured-reserve moves.
Bennett’s absence temporarily reduces the Eagles’ cornerback depth. Philadelphia kept Riq Woolen, Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams, Jonathan Jones and Michael Carter II, while Cooper DeJean provides additional flexibility in the secondary.
The Eagles are better positioned to handle Calcaterra’s absence after keeping four other tight ends. Dallas Goedert will lead a group that also includes Johnny Mundt, E.J. Jenkins and second-round pick Eli Stowers.
Calcaterra’s placement created another opportunity for Jenkins, who earned an active-roster position after spending time with Philadelphia’s practice squad. Mundt provides blocking experience, while Stowers offers developmental receiving potential.
Neither designation guarantees Bennett or Calcaterra will return immediately after four games. The Eagles can open a practice window once each player becomes eligible and evaluate whether he is physically prepared to rejoin the active roster.
The moves give both players an opportunity to contribute later without occupying roster positions during the opening month.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles place Jakorian Bennett, Grant Calcaterra on injured reserve
