- What you should know
- The Eagles initial 53-man roster features four quarterbacks… at least for now.
- Here are all the players the Eagles released and waived. Among those waived were “foreign exchange students” Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru.
- Tight end Grant Calcaterra and cornerback Jakorian Bennett won’t play until at least Week 5 after being designated to return from the reserve/injured list.
// Timestamp 08/30/26 6:32pm
Eagles keep four QBs on their roster… for now
The Eagles, for now, have punted on their backup quarterback decision.
Howie Roseman didn’t move either Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee before the 6 p.m. roster deadline Sunday night, and the Eagles went the unconventional route of keeping four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster.
They aren’t the only team. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons also kept four quarterbacks on their rosters.
Neither Dalton nor McKee grabbed the backup job by the horns during training camp. McKee struggled in Friday’s preseason finale while Dalton looked better than his two previous performances.
Still, Roseman was unable to find a trade partner – assuming he tried – before the roster deadline Sunday night.
The Eagles don’t open the season for two more weeks, so Roseman has time to sort out the roster situation at quarterback. Roseman and Nick Sirianni will meet with reporters Monday (at a time to be determined).
Keeping four quarterbacks also means the Eagles were unwilling to waive rookie fifth-round pick Cole Payton, who led only four drives during preseason games as the Eagles mostly gave reps to the quarterbacks competing to back up Jalen Hurts. Payton would have had to clear waivers. He was turnover-prone throughout camp, but the Eagles decided to commit to developing him, at least for now.
They waived sixth-round pick Kyle McCord last year after a shaky training camp. McCord was on the practice squad last season before signing with Green Bay. The Mount Laurel native had a solid preseason with the Packers and was traded Sunday to Miami for a 2028 sixth-round pick.
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Eagles 53-man roster
The Eagles’ initial 53-man roster:
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton
Running back
Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley
Wide receiver
DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown
Tight end
Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, E.J. Jenkins, Eli Stowers
Offensive line
Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Micah Morris
Interior defensive line
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson
Defensive end/outside linebacker
Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, Jonathan Greenard, A.J. Epenesa
Inside linebacker
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.
Cornerback
Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams, Jonathan Jones
Safety
Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II
Specialist
Jake Elliott (kicker), Braden Mann (punter), Rocco Underwood (long snapper)
// Timestamp 08/30/26 6:25pm
All the Eagles roster moves and cuts
The Eagles announced the release of the following players:
- LB Chance Campbell
- WR Britain Covey
- WR Danny Gray
- OLB Tarron Jackson
- G Michael Jordan
- RB Dameon Pierce
- TE Stone Smartt
- CB Ambry Thomas
- CB Shaun Wade
- WR Quez Watkins
The team also announced they waived the following players:
- DT Uar Bernard
- DT David Blay
- CB Isaiah Bolden
- C Zeke Correll
- WR Erik Ezukanma
- LB Brandon George
- DB Kapena Gushiken
- DT Gabe Hall
- T/G Myles Hinton
- OLB Keyshawn James-Newby
- TE Cameron Latu
- LB Deontae Lawson
- DB Jaylen Mahoney
- C/G Jake Majors
- RB Jordan Mims
- T John Ojukwu
- S Maximus Pulley
- OLB Jose Ramirez
- S Andre’ Sam (injured)
- RB Carson Steele
- WR Samari Toure
- WR Tahj Washington
- OLB Joshua Weru
- T Cameron Williams
- DT Zion Wilson
- S Cole Wisniewski
Two players were designated to return from the reserve/injured list, meaning they’ll miss at least the first four games:
- CB Jakorian Bennett
- TE Grant Calcaterra
// Timestamp 08/30/26 6:21pm
Eagles waive both ‘foreign exchange students.’ They can only protect one.
Vic Fangio wasn’t wrong when he warned time after time that Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru – the two first-time football players that joined the Eagles this offseason – have “a long way to go.”
The Eagles used a seventh-round pick on Bernard, a defensive tackle from Nigeria with off-the-charts athleticism. They signed Weru, a Kenyan rugby convert, as an undrafted free agent. Neither had played a padded football game before the Eagles and Ravens met in the first preseason game earlier this month, and getting on the field in a real NFL game is a whole different beast.
But the Eagles’ decision to waive both players ahead of the 6 p.m. roster deadline Sunday means they’ll only be able to protect one of them, and they may not even get to develop either of them if another NFL team decides to claim them off waivers and put them on their 53-man roster.
That result is unlikely. Again, as Fangio says, his “exchange students” are a long way away from being ready to play in NFL games. But assuming both of them clear waivers, the Eagles will only be able to designate one of them as an IPP player, and the other would be free to sign to another team’s active roster at any point during the season.
That’s obviously a risk Howie Roseman was willing to take.
While Bernard was the more talked about prospect after the Eagles used a draft pick on him, it was Weru, an edge rusher, who flashed more during camp and in the preseason contests. If one of the two was going to get cut, Bernard seemed like the more likely candidate given the possibility the Eagles could use Weru on special teams.
Instead, the Eagles kept five edge rushers on the roster: Jonathan Greenard; Jalyx Hunt; Nolan Smith; Arnold Ebiketie; and A.J. Epenesa.
In leaving Bernard off the roster, the Eagles also kept just five interior linemen: Jalen Carter; Jordan Davis; Moro Ojomo; Byron Young; and Ty Robinson.
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Giants reportedly releasing former No. 7 overall pick
// Timestamp 08/30/26 4:49pm
Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly lands on Giants’ 53-man roster
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Aaron Donald returning to the Rams
Aaron Donald is unretiring to return to the Los Angeles Rams, where he’ll play alongside reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, signed a one-year deal that could end up being worth $30 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Eagles host the Rams at the Link in Week 4, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks its possible Donald might delay his return to the field until Week 5:
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Micah Parsons won’t play first four games for Packers
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Cowboys waive ex-Eagles draft pick
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Eagles reportedly waive LB Keyshawn James-Newby
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Titans waive QB Will Levis: NFL Network
// Timestamp 08/30/26 2:23pm
Packers RB Josh Jacobs placed on exempt list, faces two misdemeanor charges
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Eagles release RB Daemon Pierce: ESPN
// Timestamp 08/30/26 11:55am
Dolphins reportedly trade for ex-Eagles quarterback
The Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN, are acquiring Green Bay Packers quarterback Kyle McCord for a 2028 sixth-round pick.
That probably eliminates Miami from the list of teams the Eagles could get a draft asset for in exchange for Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee.
McCord, a Mount Laurel native, was a sixth-round pick by the Eagles last year but did not make the team out of camp. He spent the season on the practice squad before signing with the Packers.
McCord performed well in the preseason. He completed 22 of 35 pass attempts Friday night for 226 yards and four touchdowns. McCord will be the only other quarterback on Miami’s roster besides Malik Willis, meaning the soon-to-be-24-year-old could be in line to be the primary backup.
The Dolphins may still need another quarterback, though. They traded Quinn Ewers on Saturday and reportedly waived both Cam Miller and Mark Gronkowski on Sunday. It’s hard to imagine they’d part with more draft capital for another quarterback, though.
In Miami, McCord reunites with former Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who is Miami’s pass game coordinator.
// Timestamp 08/30/26 10:56am
Carson Steele and the mirage of preseason football games
No Eagles skill position player touched the ball more during the team’s three preseason games than Carson Steele. After getting only one carry in the first game, Steele had 18 touches in the second contest and 16 Friday night.
The 23-year-old running back, signed in free agency after spending some time with Kansas City over the last two seasons, Steele was the best offensive player on the Eagles in losses to New England and Cincinnati. He had just 33 yards on 12 carries vs. the Patriots, but he turned six catches into 84 yards and made two highlight-reel hurdles, including one that helped him reach the end zone.
Then he rushed eight times for 24 yards Friday and caught eight passes for 52 yards and another touchdown as Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton spent most of their shifts checking the ball down when they dropped back to pass.
Steele, who was waived Saturday, was one of the few bright spots on an offense that mostly struggled throughout the exhibitions, and it was fair to wonder if 6-foot, 228-pound back could push for a roster spot — especially given his potential to play fullback.
But that’s the problem with the preseason: Eagles fans only get to see such a small part of what’s going on, and what Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni, and the rest of the team’s decision makers are watching when they’re whittling down the roster to 53 players.
The Eagles practiced 17 times in training camp and played just three games. The exhibition games, then, make up 15% of what the Eagles are evaluating.
So, while standing out in two of the three games — 10% of the evaluation period — isn’t unimportant, it’s too small of a sample.
That’s not to say Steele was bad in practice. He was fine. But the Eagles didn’t really have room for him with Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley in front of him on the depth chart. There are other roster needs, and they don’t seem to have the luxury of keeping a fourth running back on the roster.
But he can play fullback!
So can Cameron Latu, who could be on his way to a roster spot at tight end and is a solid special teamer.
The Eagles probably won’t mind Steele clearing waivers and finding his way onto their practice squad, though.
// Timestamp 08/30/26 10:12am
Dolphins suddenly need help at quarterback
The Miami Dolphins are in the market for a quarterback after they traded Quinn Ewers to Jacksonville on Saturday and waived Cam Miller Sunday morning.
Howie Roseman has probably scrolled his way to Jon-Eric Sullivan in his contacts list.
The Eagles likely are trying to trade either Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee, and the Dolphins are one of a few teams in need of some quarterback help.
But here’s another angle to consider: Are the Eagles one of the teams in need of quarterback help?
Neither one of their backup quarterback options shined in camp, and McKee on Friday night looked sort of lost while Dalton performed better than he had in previous preseason contests.
Still, it’s possible the Eagles could fetch a late-round pick for either player. Dalton’s body of work and his ability to mentor a younger quarterback – in Miami’s case, Malik Willis – could be more valuable.
The Eagles could find themselves in an awkward position later on Sunday if they’re unable to move a quarterback or don’t trade for one themselves. Would they keep both Dalton and McKee on the initial roster? Would that mean keeping four quarterbacks? Would that mean waiving fifth-round pick Cole Payton and exposing him to waivers?
The clock is ticking.
// Timestamp 08/30/26 9:25am
Dolphins now in the market for a backup QB
// Timestamp 08/30/26 7:35am
Who will be the Eagles’ backup quarterback?
The winner of the No. 2 job is still unclear. Can both lose?
Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton have been that uninspiring. The preseason finale offered more questionable quarterback play. There have been only glimmers.
McKee got his first start of this preseason after Dalton started the first two games. He played the entire first half. It was a brutal watch. McKee completed 12 of 22 passes, but for only 55 yards. He underthrew and overthrew receivers, looked timid in the pocket, and ultimately became a check-down artist.
McKee didn’t exactly have the best players around him. There were several drops, one that resulted in his lone interception. But receivers were also schemed open. Britain Covey got separation off a nifty double move for a would-be touchdown, but McKee completely overshot him.
Dalton took over in the second half. Like McKee last week vs. the New England Patriots, he outplayed his competition in relief. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown — and with a few lesser players at certain spots.
Dalton had some shaky moments, too. And when given the opportunity to engineer a go-ahead, fourth-quarter drive, he and the offense couldn’t get the job done.
Rookie Cole Payton came in late in the fourth quarter. He continued to hold the ball too long when he dropped. His passing wasn’t much better. In Payton’s defense, he hasn’t practiced much the last few weeks. The Eagles will take a long view with the fifth-round draft pick.
Payton must really want to play, though. He was in on the cover unit for the Eagles’ first punt.
McLane’s roster prediction at quarterback
- Quarterbacks (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton.
- Traded: Andy Dalton.
Dalton’s play this summer hasn’t earned him the No. 2 job. McKee has been only marginally better, but has shown improvement. The best man doesn’t always win. But the educated guess here is that Roseman will trade Dalton to a backup-needy team — of which there are many. He may need to keep all four quarterbacks past Sunday’s deadline to get what he wants in return, however.
Payton has displayed more than last year’s rookie project — Kyle McCord — and probably wouldn’t pass through waivers if the Eagles consider stowing him on the practice squad.
// Timestamp 08/30/26 2:13pm
2026 Eagles roster cut tracker
The Eagles are in the process of reducing their roster down to 53 players by Sunday’s 6 p.m. deadline.
Here are all the players the Eagles are expected to waive, according to sources and other reports:
Offense
- Wide receiver Quez Watkins
- Running back Carson Steele (per multiple reports)
- Wide receiver Samori Toure (per NFL Network)
- Guard Michael Jordan (per NJ.com’s Cayden Steele)
- Tackle Myles Hinton (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter)
- Cornerback Shaun Wade (per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler)
- Tight end Stone Smartt (per NJ.com’s Cayden Steele)
- Running back Daemon Pierce (per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler)
Defense
- Safety Cole Wisniewski (per NJ.com’s Cayden Steele)
- Edge rusher Tarron Jackson
- Defensive back Maximus Pulley (per Ryan Fowler)
- Defensive lineman Gabe Hall (per Ryan Fowler)
- Cornerback Ambry Thomas (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter)
- Defensive lineman Zion Wilson (per Ryan Fowler)
- Cornerback Shaun Wade (per Jeremy Fowler)
- Safety Jaylen Mahoney (per Andrew DiCecco)
- Linebacker Brandon George (per NJ.com’s Cayden Steele)
- Linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby (per Andrew DiCecco)
Eagles 2026 schedule
Here’s the Eagles’ complete 2026 schedule:
- Week 1: Commanders at Eagles — Sunday, Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 2: Eagles at Titans — Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 3: Eagles at Bears — Monday, Sept. 28, 8:15 p.m. (ABC, ESPN)
- Week 4: Rams at Eagles — Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 5: Eagles at Jaguars (London) — Sunday, Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. (NFL Network)
- Week 6: Panthers at Eagles — Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Week 7: Cowboys at Eagles — Monday, Oct. 26, 8:15 p.m. (ABC, ESPN)
- Week 8: Eagles at Commanders — Sunday, Nov. 1, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
- Week 9: Giants at Eagles — Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 10: Bye week
- Week 11: Steelers at Eagles — Sunday, Nov. 22, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
- Week 12: Eagles at Cowboys — Thursday, Nov. 26, 4:30 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 13: Eagles at Cardinals — Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:05 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 14: Colts at Eagles — Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 15: Seahawks at Eagles — Saturday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m. (Fox)
- Week 16: Texans at Eagles — Thursday, Dec. 24, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video)
- Week 17: Eagles at 49ers — Sunday, Jan. 3, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
- Week 18: Eagles at Giants — TBD (TBD)
// Timestamp 08/30/26 7:33am
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