This year, the NFL put new guidelines into motion regarding the league’s 53-man roster. A total of three days would be used as the latest deadlines to make cuts to each team. The first of these came today, August 17, with each team now having 85 players.
The Philadelphia Eagles had to make three cuts. The team waived/injured running back Kerryon Johnson, center Luke Juriga, and tackle Casey Tucker. As a caveat to the mandatory limit, Philadelphia was allowed one additional player due to the international exemption for defensive end Matt Leo.
EAGLES ROSTER CUTS
Out of the three players marked with an injury designation, running back, Kerryon Johnson was the most significant. Beginning his career with the Detroit Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off of waivers earlier this offseason. Many fans had high hopes for his role on the team; however, recently, Johnson was considered week to week with a knee injury. Today the Eagles waived him.
If another team does not claim Johnson, he may revert to the Eagles’ injured reserve list.
Center Luke Juriga signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He was waived last season during final roster cuts and was reassigned to the practice squad in the following days. Last October, he was promoted to the active roster, playing at the end of the first half after Jason Kelce incurred a minor injury.
Unfortunately for Juriga, the Eagles waived him again. The team may be banking on Kelce’s health as he finished last season with 105 consecutive games under his belt.
The last of the three cuts was offensive tackle Casey Tucker. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019; however, Tucker was released during roster cuts. The Detroit Lions signed him to their practice squad, eventually signing a reserve/future contract. But, the Lions waived him in 2020.
Tucker was then signed back to the Eagles, and after another release, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him for a fourth time in May 2021; however, the team waived him again today. Philadelphia has a slew of offensive tackles, including Jordan Mailata and Andre Dillard fighting for the left side and Lane Johnson on the right with Jack Driscoll as back-up.
MORE ROSTER MOVES AHEAD
The Philadelphia Eagles will play their second preseason game this Thursday, August 19, against the New England Patriots. They had been practicing with the Patriots this week in training camp with reports stating that team is looking good.
The following roster cut will occur on August 24, with all teams reducing to 80 players. Each team will then make their final roster cut on August 31, confirming their final 53-man team.
