Eagles 2024 roster cuts: Tracking the roster moves to 53

The Eagles need to reduce their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m., and I’m monitoring all the changes here.

While this won’t be their final 53-man roster, it’s where they need to begin. Many of the players cut before the deadline will likely end up on the 16-man practice squad.

We’ll be updating the moves as they happen.

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that rookie WR Ainias Smith “experienced discomfort in his ankle and hamstring” following the preseason finale. Smith is undergoing an MRI and may be placed on IR.

Released:

OL Max Scharping: The Eagles signed Scharping in June to strengthen their offensive line. He played 79 games with 33 starts for the Texans and Bengals from 2019–23. Although he mostly played tackle and guard this summer, he didn’t make the 53-man roster. He was one of several veteran offensive linemen in camp.

CB Parry Nickerson: The veteran nickel corner had some standout moments in camp, including a 95-yard pick-6 off Tanner McKee. Although he wasn’t expected to make the 53-man roster, Nickerson provided valuable reps this summer after playing under Vic Fangio in Miami in 2023.

QB Will Grier: Grier was never in the Eagles’ long-term plans, but he was in Philadelphia to help the other quarterbacks learn Kellen Moore’s offense.

OLB Julian Okwara: The 26-year-old former Lions’ third-round pick had a strong preseason finale but couldn’t secure a spot. Okwara has played in 38 games with 4 starts in his career and has 9 career sacks, but he was low on the depth chart this summer.

Waived:

• CB Zech McPhearson: The veteran cornerback expressed his gratitude to Philadelphia on Twitter after being waived. McPhearson returned this summer from an Achilles injury that cut his 2023 season short. Drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round out of Texas Tech in 2021, he played in 33 games over his first two years and was a key contributor on special teams.
• WR Austin Watkins: Watkins, 26, has been with other NFL teams before but was far down the Eagles’ depth chart all summer.
• WR Griffin Hebert: Despite a solid performance in the final preseason game, Hebert was always an underdog to make the roster.
• DE Tarron Jackson: The former sixth-round pick has been around for a while but hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since 2022. He had a decent summer but was low on the edge rusher depth chart.
• Andre’ Sam: The rookie safety from LSU had some impressive moments this summer at a position where the Eagles lack depth.
• TE Kevin Foelsch: The Eagles needed extra tight ends for camp, and Foelsch was one of them. The New Haven product was claimed by the Eagles after being waived by the Jets in early August.
• CB Shon Stephens: The rookie earned a roster spot after a tryout during rookie camp. He played college football at Ferris State and West Liberty.