Eagles 53-Man Roster Bubble Watch
The Philadelphia Eagles will have to trim their 91-man roster down to a 53-man roster in less than a week. Each team in the NFL will have to make their final cuts by 6:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 30. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will have his hands full as he attempts to juggle a Super Bowl contender, while also building a strong foundation for the future.
Following Philadelphia’s second preseason game, we gained a bit more clarity regarding the team’s depth and roster battles at certain positions. As of right now, there are 44 players that I would label as locks to make Philadelphia’s final 53-man roster. Here’s a list of all of those players, by position.
Offense (22):
QB (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton
RB (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley
WR (5): DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown
TE (3): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers
OL (8): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin
Defense (20):
IDL (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
EDGE (5): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., Arnold Ebiketie, Joshua Weru
LB (3): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
CB (3): Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean
S (3): Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II
Special Teams (2):
K (1): Jake Elliott
P (1): Braden Mann
While there is a chance that the Eagles could get creative and place Jonathan Greenard, Joshua Weru or Uar Bernard on injured reserve, I don’t see that happening. Greenard seems confident that he’ll be back early in the regular season and Philadelphia’s dynamic international duo wouldn’t be able to practice if they’re placed on injured reserve. The reason that both of them should make the 53-man roster is because of the potential that they’ve shown, the development that they still need to go through in practice and not exposing them to waivers.
The rest of my choices among the 44 locks that I see on Philadelphia’s current roster seem relatively self-explanatory. Eagles veteran free agent additions Hollywood Brown and Arnold Ebiketie haven’t necessarily shown a ton but they both signed relatively pricey, one-year deals this year. Here’s a quick look at the 19 players that I believe are fighting for the final nine roster spots in Philadelphia.
Carson Steele, RB
If I wrote this article a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have included Eagles running back (fullback?) Carson Steele. Yet following his impressive performance in Philadelphia’s second preseason game, Steele is at least worth monitoring during this final week of practice and in the preseason finale. If the Eagles believe that Steele can contribute as a running back, fullback and on special teams, he could stick around.
Elijah Moore, WR
In my latest 53-man roster projection, I had Eagles veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore making the cut as the team’s sixth wide receiver. Moore has developed a strong connection with Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are also using him as a returner in practice. Moore missed some practice time and the second preseason game due to a neck injury. He is also a vested veteran that the Eagles wouldn’t have to worry about being claimed on waivers if he’s released. We’ll see.
Britain Covey, WR
While Moore has missed time recently due to injury, Britain Covey has made the most of his opportunities. Covey scored a touchdown in the team’s preseason loss to the New England Patriots and continues to show juice as a returner. Yet based on recent history, it seems like the Eagles would rather sign Covey to the practice squad, elevate him for the first three games of the regular season as a returner and then take it from there.
Cameron Latu, TE
The Eagles are in an interesting spot at tight end. It’s clear that Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt will be the top two players at the position in 2026. Yet rookie tight end Eli Stowers is still a work in progress and all of the team’s other options at the position are rather underwhelming. While Cameron Latu has shown some potential as a blocker and special teams ace, I could see the Eagles trading for a tight end to add a bit more of a proven contributor to the position room.
Fred Johnson, OL
When the Eagles re-signed veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson, many assumed that he would be the team’s swing tackle in 2026. Yet Eagles rookie offensive tackle Markel Bell appears ready to contribute immediately and could fill that role this season. Johnson has reportedly struggled at times and I could see the Eagles trading him to another team that could use some depth at offensive tackle. Trading Johnson for help at tight end or cornerback could make sense for both sides.
Micah Morris, OL
When the Eagles selected former Georgia guard Micah Morris in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, it was a developmental addition. Morris has a rare combination of size and athleticism that gives him the “unusual” traits that Roseman adores. Morris hasn’t exactly blown anyone away this summer but he has likely done enough to stick around on the 53-man roster and not be exposed to waivers.
Jake Majors, OL
The Eagles signed interior offensive lineman Jake Majors to the practice squad in September of 2025. While Majors has struggled at times this summer, he had a bounce-back performance against the Patriots in Philadelphia’s second preseason game. Majors has the center and guard versatility to make him a decent depth option, yet he could be too redundant with both Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin as locks on the 53-man roster.
A.J. Epenesa, EDGE
Eagles veteran edge rusher A.J. Epenesa has done all of the right things since arriving in Philadelphia. Yet if the Eagles need to get creative during final cuts to keep players like Weru and Bernard around, Epenesa could be the odd man out. As a vested veteran, Epenesa won’t be exposed to waivers if he’s cut and could sign with Philadelphia’s practice squad. Then the Eagles could elevate Epenesa for the first three games of the regular season before finding a roster spot for him ahead of Week 4.
Smael Mondon Jr., LB
The Eagles have an embarrassment of riches at inside linebacker in 2026. Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. form one of the top three trips in the NFL. Meanwhile, there will be a heated battle for the final spot or two at the position. Eagles second-year linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. is likely in the lead for the fourth spot due to his draft pedigree but things could get interesting this week.
Chance Campbell, LB
The Eagles added Chance Campbell in late August last year to fill-in at linebacker during the team’s final preseason game. Well it turns out that Campbell is actually a pretty good player that even Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio vouched for earlier this summer. While Campbell is the elder statesman in this inside linebacker competition at 26-years old, it’s always notable when Fangio praises a player.
Deontae Lawson, LB
The shiny new toy in Philadelphia’s linebacker room is undrafted free agent signing Deontae Lawson. Despite being a two-time captain at Alabama and projected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Lawson somehow slipped through the cracks. Now Lawson is showing in flashes in Philadelphia during practices and preseason games. Yet I’m not sure that Lawson has shown enough to stick around.
Jonathan Jones, CB
The Eagles signed veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones to bring some experience and versatility to the position room. Yet Jones has missed both practice and preseason games due to a shoulder injury. While Jones is likely Philadelphia’s top backup cornerback when healthy, he hasn’t been able to prove that in recent weeks. Similar to Epenesa, Jones is also a vested veteran and wouldn’t go through waivers if he was released. Jones should make Philadelphia’s final 53-man roster, yet Roseman could get creative.
Mac McWilliams, CB
It’s been an up-and-down summer for Eagles second-year cornerback Mac McWilliams. He had a quiet start to training camp before working with the first-team defense following injuries to Jones and Quinyon Mitchell. McWilliams had a rough outing in Philadelphia’s first preseason game but bounced back with a better performance against the Patriots. Similar to Mondon, McWilliams has the draft pedigree that’ll likely help him stick around.
Kelee Ringo, CB
The Eagles traded up to select former Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo in the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet Ringo has yet to show much at cornerback in the NFL, although he has flourished as a special teams contributor in Philadelphia. Similar to McWilliams, the 24-year-old has had an up-and-down summer but in a contract year, I could see Roseman trading Ringo to another team for help elsewhere. My guess is that the Eagles will either trade him or keep him on the 53-man roster as a special teams ace.
Shaun Wade, CB
The Eagles signed veteran cornerback Shaun Wade in June following his stint with the Dallas Renegades of the UFL. Similar to Jones, Wade was with Eagles secondary coach Mike Pellegrino with the Patriots. After bouncing around the NFL a bit, Wade is trying to latch on with the Eagles in 2026. While he’s likely more of a practice squad candidate, Wade has forced two fumbles during the preseason and has the physical play style that Fangio might appreciate. Some have mentioned that Wade could make the move to safety as well, which is a plus.
Cole Wisniewski, S
The Eagles threw a dart at safety Cole Wisniewski in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Wisniewski has missed a lot of practice time and sat out the team’s preseason opener due to a hamstring injury. Yet the 24-year-old rookie made a few plays against the Patriots and has just enough time to show that he deserves a spot on the final 53-man roster as the team’s fourth safety. But unfortunately Wisniewski is now dealing with a concussion.
Maximus Pulley, S
Former Wofford safety Maximus Pulley signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft. While Pulley was viewed as a long shot to stick around when he initially joined the team, he has worked his way up the depth chart. Pulley has reportedly worked with the second-team defense at times during training camp. He has also made plays both on defense and on special teams during the preseason. If Pulley has a strong final week of practice and plays well in the preseason finale, he has a real case to make the final 53-man roster.
Kapena Gushiken, DB
The Eagles gave undrafted defensive back Kapena Gushiken a total of $272,500 guaranteed on his rookie contract, which ranked atop Philadelphia’s undrafted free agent class. Then Gushiken earned the nickname “Gush” from Fangio earlier in the offseason. The 24-year-old has already shown the positional versatility to play both slot cornerback and safety. I view “Gush” as the current favorite to win the fourth safety spot but a lot can change this week.
Rocco Underwood, LS
After splitting time with two different long snappers last season, Philadelphia should want to secure a consistent option at the position in 2026. Yet given the tough roster decisions that Roseman will have to make elsewhere, he could opt to play the practice squad game to start the regular season. Philadelphia signed Rocco Underwood as an undrafted free agent and according to Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay, the rookie is gelling well with Jake Elliott and Braden Mann. I believe it’d be best to keep the special teams trio together and not risk losing the rookie on waivers but he would likely go unclaimed.