Eagles Preseason: 5 players who have something to prove against Miami
Although the final preseason game is typically the least exciting of the bunch, there are several Eagles players who will have something to prove come Saturday night in Miami.
Teams around the league will have until Tuesday, August 30 at 4 PM to cut down their rosters from 80 to 53 players. The final preseason game, along with the final week of camp work, will go a long way in deciding which roster bubble players make the cut.
For the Eagles, most of the roster makeup is all but solidified. But there are a few spots that could go one way or another depending on how the final preseason contest plays out.
Here are five players who need to prove their worth with a strong outing against Miami.
RB Jason Huntley
Whether or not the Eagles decide to carry four backs on the final roster all depends on how Jason Huntley performs down the stretch here.
Throughout his Eagles tenure, Huntley has typically been a star during camp and the preseason. It hasn’t exactly panned out that way this year. He’s had a quiet camp up to this point and he’s only seen 26 snaps of action during the preseason.
Huntley’s ability to return kicks has always given him a shot at a roster spot, but it may not be enough when it’s all said and done. A strong outing against Miami could convince Nick Sirianni and Co. to keep him around and possibly give him a small role on the offense.
WR Deon Cain
After his standout performance against Cleveland this past Sunday, Deon Cain has been a fan favorite to round out the WR depth chart. Of all the wide receivers fighting for that final spot, Cain is the only one who looks like a true NFL receiver.
Whether or not the Eagles opt to keep five or six wideouts on the opening day roster is yet to be determined. Although there are plenty of fans who would love to see Jalen Reagor cut, it’s unlikely that the team will part ways with the former first-round pick unless they receive a suitable trade offer.
Keeping both Reagor and Cain on the final 53 may seem a bit far fetched, but it’s certainly not impossible, especially if Cain has another outstanding outing against Miami.
WR Britain Covey
Throughout the early portions of camp, undrafted rookie Britain Covey seemed like he was about to sneak himself onto the 53-man roster. He’s a solid returner and got reps with the first-team offense at one point. Now that we’re two preseason games in, it’s clear that those expectations may have been a hit high for the rookie.
In 60 snaps of action through two games, Covey has mustered up just one reception for five yards on six targets. His Pro Football Focus grade for the preseason sits at 52.0.
Earning a spot on the final roster may be out of the question for Covey at this point, but he still needs to prove that he deserves a spot on the Eagles practice squad. This final preseason contest will be his opportunity to do so.
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QB Carson Strong
When the Eagles signed QB Carson Strong as an undrafted free agent and guaranteed him a whopping $320K, it felt like the former Nevada gunslinger was a near-lock to make the roster as the QB3. Fast forward to now and it’s pretty clear that Strong is heading to the practice squad.
He’s only seen eight snaps during the preseason and 25-year-old Reid Sinnett has taken hold of the third slot on the QB depth chart. Strong should get a lot of run against Miami. While he may not be able to do enough to earn a roster spot, we at least need to see some signs of life out of the undrafted QB.
S Jaquiski Tartt
It’s hard to believe that Jaquiski Tartt is legitimately fighting for a roster spot heading into the final game of the preseason. The veteran safety played 727 defensive snaps for the 49ers last season as an integral player in their secondary. Now, he’s having trouble beating out K’Von Wallace and Andre Chachere for the final spot on the Eagles safety depth chart.
With seven NFL seasons under his belt, Tartt still has more experience than nearly every safety on the Eagles roster. That alone gives him a chance to crack the final 53, but it’s far from a guarantee.
Tartt did a fine job in his 59 defensive snaps against Cleveland last week, finishing the day with four tackles and a PFF grade of 74.0. Another performance like that could convince the defensive coaching staff to keep Tartt around as insurance for Marcus Epps.
Mandatory Credit: USA Today
