Roster Moves: Eagles shuffle roster after Week 1, Patrick Johnson promoted to 53-man squad

The Eagles wasted no time making adjustments after their Week 1 win over the Cowboys, pulling the trigger on a flurry of roster moves Monday afternoon.

Eagles fill out the 53-man roster

We've signed OLB Patrick Johnson to the active roster, signed RB Montrell Johnson and OL Hollin Pierce to the Practice Squad, and released WR Elijah Cooks from the Practice Squad. pic.twitter.com/RZbM7GyZwA

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 8, 2025

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The headline move: linebacker Patrick Johnson is now officially on the 53-man roster. With Kenyon Green waived over the weekend, there was an open spot, and Johnson was the obvious fit. He logged 12 snaps on defense and another 17 on special teams against Dallas, and with fullback Ben VanSumeren lost for the year to a knee injury, Johnson’s role on special teams just got a whole lot bigger.

The Eagles now carry seven edge rushers: Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Za’Darius Smith, Patrick Johnson, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. That’s a loaded group, but it feels unlikely the team keeps all seven long-term, especially since Ojulari and Okoronkwo were both healthy scratches in Week 1. Someone could be on the way out before too long.

Practice squad shuffle

Along with Johnson’s promotion, the Eagles shook up the practice squad:

• Added: RB Montrell Johnson (Florida) and OL Hollin Pierce (Rutgers).
• Released: WR Elijah Cooks.

Both Montrell Johnson and Pierce were undrafted rookies who stuck around through training camp. Pierce has already bounced back and forth from the practice squad, and Montrell Johnson returns after missing time in camp with an injury but finishing strong down the stretch.

What it all means for the Eagles

This is classic early-season tinkering. The Eagles are trying to solidify special teams while keeping developmental prospects close. Patrick Johnson isn’t going to light up the stat sheet, but he’s the type of depth piece that becomes crucial when the season grinds into November and December.

And the edge rusher logjam? That’s the storyline to keep an eye on. Seven bodies won’t last forever, and if you’re Ojulari or Okoronkwo, you better start making plays in practice, or Howie’s going to ship you out faster than you can say “next man up.”

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