Charley Hughlett returns as Eagles shuffles roster ahead of Week 18

The Philadelphia Eagles were clearly playing chess, not checkers, when they released long snapper Charley Hughlett earlier this week. As suspected, the move was less about moving on and more about roster flexibility heading into Week 18.

After clearing waivers, Charley Hughlett was re-signed to the Eagles’ practice squad and will be temporarily elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s regular season finale against the Washington Commanders. He will handle long snapping duties as expected, confirming that Philadelphia was never actually planning to go into a game without one.

Eagles sign Charley Hughlett to the practice squad.

We have signed LS Charley Hughlett to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/jEGxe3LbGG

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 31, 2025

Eagles do not have a long snapper on either the active roster or the practice squad with Week 18 and the playoffs looming

The maneuver leaves the Eagles with an open spot on the 53-man roster, and that flexibility matters with the team planning to rest several starters in Week 18.

Philadelphia could use that opening to sign either Patrick Johnson or Andre’ Sam, both of whom are currently unavailable for further temporary elevations until the postseason begins. Adding one of them outright would allow the Eagles to maintain depth while protecting their core players.

This is the reality of late-season roster management. Unlike the preseason, the Eagles are not operating with a 90-man roster, so every move matters.

The goal is simple: rest the most critical players, avoid unnecessary risk, and still field a competitive lineup that gives depth pieces meaningful snaps before the playoffs.

To make room for Charley Hughlett on the practice squad, the Eagles released defensive end Titus Leo, another reminder that these decisions are often transactional rather than evaluative this time of year.

It may look messy from the outside, but this is calculated roster maneuvering. The Eagles are prioritizing health, flexibility, and preparation for January, exactly what a playoff-bound team should be doing with one regular season game left.

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