PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles needed some reinforcements at the edge-rusher position for their game against the Ravens on Sunday in Baltimore after losing captain Brandon Graham for the season due to a torn triceps injury last Sunday night.
Ochaun Mathis emerged as the preferred candidate to be promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, while Charles Harris, who was claimed off the Carolina Panthers’ waivers, is expected to be included in the defensive line rotation alongside Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, and Jalyx Hunt.
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After Ben VanSumeren was placed on injured reserve, the Eagles also signed veteran wide receiver Parris Campbell off the practice squad. in Friday, VanSumeren’s knee injury was noted in the injury report. The Eagles’ second-year linebacker had established himself as a staple on special teams and had also taken over as Saquon Barkley’s fullback blocker.
Following the Eagles’ announcement earlier in the day that rookie receiver Johnny Wilson would miss the game against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury, Campbell was signed. This season, Campbell has been on the active roster and practice squad. In four games, he has six receptions for 30 yards and a score. In Week 7, he last faced the Giants.
The Eagles selected Mathis, who was promoted to the practice squad eight days ago, as their fifth edge rusher for Sunday’s game over Tarron Jackson and K.J. Henry. Mathis, a 2023 sixth-round pick of the Rams, participated in five games this season with the Patriots and eight as a rookie with the Rams. This season, he played 11 defensive snaps and 80 special teams snaps for New England.
Harris, who was selected in the first round by the Miami Dolphins in 2017, will make his Eagles debut on Sunday after recording three sacks in nine games with the Panthers this season. Over the course of his eight-year career, which has included spells with Detroit and Atlanta, he has 19 1/2 sacks. It sounded like he was ready to throw Harris into the fire against the Ravens, even though defensive coordinator Vic Fangios claimed he didn’t know much about him.
Fangio added, “You have to cram, like some of us used to do for exams.” To observe how quickly he picks things up, you’ll need to put in a lot of extra time, get them on the practice field, and get them going.
For the third consecutive week, the Eagles also promoted veteran tight end C.J. Uzomah from the practice squad. Despite not having a target in either game, Uzomah played three offensive snaps against Washington and sixteen against the Rams. He can only be promoted from the practice squad once. Uzomah must be added to the active roster if the Eagles hope to employ him in a game again.
This season, the Eagles have utilized Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Jack Stoll, E.J. Jenkins, and Uzomah as their five tight ends. Although the team has used up all three of Jenkins’ altitudes for the season, he is still on the practice squad. Stoll was released on November 12 and is currently with the Miami Dolphins. Earlier this season, Stoll was on the practice squad and active roster.
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