The Philadelphia Eagles established their initial 53-man roster Sunday, but their roster construction will continue once waiver claims are processed Monday afternoon.
Philadelphia waived 26 players and released 10 vested veterans while reaching the league-mandated limit. Players who clear waivers can negotiate with any practice squad, while released veterans are already free to consider offers from around the league. The Eagles can sign 16 players to their regular practice squad and carry a 17th if that player qualifies for the International Player Pathway exemption. Here is our projection before waiver claims are announced.
Running back
- Dameon Pierce
Philadelphia reportedly wants Pierce back after releasing him Sunday. Because he is a vested veteran, Pierce does not need
to clear waivers. He can consider every available opportunity before deciding whether to return.
Pierce would provide an experienced game-day elevation option behind Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley.
Wide receiver
- Britain Covey
- Tahj Washington
- Erik Ezukanma
Covey would give Philadelphia insurance at punt returner, a role that remains unsettled on the initial 53-man roster. His experience also makes him a logical candidate for game-day elevations.
Washington and Ezukanma provide developmental depth behind a six-player receiving corps. Both could be in danger of receiving offers from other practice squads even if they clear waivers.
Tight end
- Cameron Latu
Latu has experience with Philadelphia’s system and can contribute as a blocker and on special teams. Grant Calcaterra must miss at least four games after being placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, increasing Latu’s potential value.
Offensive line
- Myles Hinton
- Cameron Williams
- Jake Majors
Hinton and Williams are the Eagles' most at risk of losing on waivers. Both are developmental tackles selected in the 2025 draft, and finding young offensive linemen after roster reductions is difficult.
Majors can provide depth at center and guard. Philadelphia developed him on its practice squad last season, making another year with the organization logical.
Defensive line
- David Blay
- Gabe Hall
The Eagles kept five defensive linemen on their active roster, creating a need for additional developmental depth. Blay offers interior quickness, while Hall is already familiar with the organization after spending the 2025 season on Philadelphia’s practice squad.
Outside linebacker
- Keyshawn James-Newby
- Joshua Weru
James-Newby was a 2026 seventh-round pick, and Philadelphia should want to continue developing him. He missed time during training camp but still possesses enough pass-rushing ability to warrant a longer evaluation.
Weru remains extremely inexperienced, but his physical traits make him an appealing long-term project. He would count as one of the 16 regular practice squad members in this projection.
Linebacker
- Deontae Lawson
Lawson entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie after playing at Alabama. He provides developmental depth behind Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon Jr. and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Defensive back
- Isaiah Bolden
- Cole Wisniewski
- Maximus Pulley
Bolden offers size, NFL experience and special-teams ability at cornerback. Wisniewski was a seventh-round selection in April, while Pulley showed enough during his first summer to remain an intriguing developmental safety.
Philadelphia should prioritize keeping Wisniewski because another team could be interested in his size and rookie contract.
International Player Pathway designation
- Uar Bernard
Bernard is the natural choice for the 17th position. The rookie defensive tackle from Nigeria remains early in his football development, but Philadelphia invested a seventh-round selection in him.
Using the international exemption would allow the Eagles to retain Bernard without taking up one of their 16 standard practice-squad positions.
First players out
- RB Carson Steele
- OL John Ojukwu
- DB Kapena Gushiken
- DT Zion Wilson
Steele would replace Pierce if the veteran running back signs elsewhere. Ojukwu becomes the first offensive-line replacement if Hinton or Williams is claimed, while Gushiken and Wilson offer additional developmental options on defense.
The largest uncertainties involve Hinton, Williams and James-Newby. Philadelphia can begin negotiating with them only if every other team passes during the waiver process. That makes this projection temporary, but it offers the most balanced combination of developmental prospects, veterans and potential game-day elevations.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Predicting Eagles' 17-player practice squad after 53-man roster cuts
