EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Eagles’ preseason is over. Now, we’ll all wait as Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni and Co. make tough calls in deciding the 53-man roster by Tuesday.
The Eagles wrapped up the preseason with a reserve-laden win over the New York Jets on Friday night at MetLife Stadium. Even veteran backups were held out of the preseason finale, giving several players on the roster bubble a chance to prove their worth.
Here’s who stood out in the Eagles’ win over the Jets ahead of roster cutdown day.
RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: The undrafted rookie out of Florida was identified by the Eagles as a player with some juice. Johnson’s 15-yard touchdown gave a glimpse of that, cutting back and accelerating through the Jets’ defense into the end zone. Johnson likely won’t make the roster with Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon ahead of him on the depth chart. But if he’s cut, Philly will be hoping Johnson makes through waivers and lands on their practice squad.
CB Parry Nickerson: Nickerson is the definition of a journeyman. The 30-year-old slot corner spent time with six teams from 2018-23. Vic Fangio, who coached him in Miami, brought him in last year, and Nickerson spent most of the season on the practice squad. He’s had a good camp and snared an acrobatic interception at MetLife Stadium. He’s unlikely to make the 53-man roster. But perhaps Nickerson played well enough to be signed by another NFL team.
EDGE Patrick Johnson: Johnson is firmly on the bubble. The Eagles’ 2021 seventh-round pick, who was brought back after spending last season with the Giants, beat Jets right tackle Carter Warren for a sack on Friday night to cap a solid preseason. Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Josh Uche are locks while Azeez Ojulari will likely make the squad. But will Johnson?
EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland: Powell-Ryland smoked Jets left tackle Samuel Jackson around the edge and strip-sacked quarterback Adrian Martinez. But the sixth-round rookie out of Virginia Tech might have left his impressive play a little too late for roster consideration. Powell-Ryland had a rough camp. We’ll see if he’s a surprise addition to the 53-man roster.
S Lewis Cine: Cine got in on the turnover party, snagging a second-half pick. That was the highlight of preseason for Cine, who has struggled to live up to his high draft billing. The 2022 first-round pick out of Georgia was cut by the Minnesota Vikings and was signed by the Eagles off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad in January. Cine entered camp with a chance to contend for the fourth safety spot. Instead, he spent most of the summer working with the developmental units. We’ll find out soon if Cine sticks around in Philly or ends up elsewhere.
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