A look at Eagles’ newest addition to their backfield

The Eagles continue to tinker with their roster heading into training camp, this time adding another burner to the backfield by claiming former Texas running back Keilan Robinson off waivers.

The move doesn’t shake up the depth chart just yet, but it gives the team an intriguing special teams weapon and potential gadget guy if he can stick through the summer.

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Robinson was waived by the Jaguars after a quiet rookie season. A fifth-round pick in 2024, he spent most of the year on IR and only saw action in six games — almost entirely on special teams. He logged a pair of kickoff returns and just five offensive snaps all season. That said, the potential is there.

Before Jacksonville, Robinson flashed at Texas after transferring from Alabama. He racked up 11 total touchdowns over three seasons with the Longhorns, with several coming in explosive fashion. He returned a kickoff 95 yards to the house in the regular-season finale vs. Texas Tech, then followed that with two rushing scores and 75 yards on four carries in the Big 12 Championship. When he hits the second level, he’s gone.

Eagles Backfield: Crowded But Competitive

With Robinson now in the mix, the Eagles’ running back room looks like this: Saquon Barkley, AJ Dillon, Will Shipley, Avery Williams, and now Robinson. Barkley is obviously locked in as the workhorse, and Dillon should be a steady rotational piece with solid pass-catching chops. Shipley, the second-year man out of Clemson, figures to get his chance as a change-of-pace back and kick returner. That leaves Robinson fighting with Williams and Shipley for those final depth roles.

His best chance to stick is on special teams, and he knows it. He’s a proven return man and can add some juice to a unit that’s been pretty mid the past few years. If he shows anything as a receiver or gadget option during preseason, all the better.

Don’t expect Keilan Robinson to be stealing snaps from Barkley anytime soon, but if he can carve out a role like Boston Scott once did, it’s another small win for an Eagles front office that never stops churning the bottom of the roster for speed and upside.

It’s not a splashy move, but these are the types of signings that end up mattering once the injuries start piling up in November. Keep an eye on No. 31 once preseason kicks off August 7th against the Bengals.