After two months off offseason work, 23 training camp practice and three preseason games, it all comes down to Thursday night.
Just 60 minutes of preseason football on Thursday night against the New York Jets stands between the Eagles and final cuts, trimming their roster down from 90 players to 53.
The decisions will not be easy, considering the Eagles have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL and injuries at different positions that could cause them to keep players they otherwise wouldn't have.
With around 48 spots locked up, these 11 players will go into Thursday night battling for five roster spots:
Clayton Thorson: The Eagles will keep Thorson if they feel he won't make it through waivers and onto their practice squad. Thorson is one of the most improved players since training camp started, but the team likely wouldn't mind if he struggled against the Jets, decreasing his chances of being snatched up by another team. Having to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster would be rough.
Dasheaon Hall, Shareef Miller and Josh Sweat: Head coach Doug Pederson said this week that the trio of Hall, Miller and Sweat were battling for the final fourth defensive end spot in the regular rotation. They are also battling for a roster spot, however, as it is possible — but unlikely — the Eagles keep six defensive ends. Hall has had an outstanding preseason, while Sweat has been consistently good. Miller has the advantage of being a fourth-round pick. If the team is going to try to sneak him on the injured reserve list with a shady injury, tonight is the night to make it happen. It would be surprising if all three of these players are on the 53-man roster.
Josh Adams: Chances are when Week 1 rolls around Adams will be playing for one of the teams on the field tonight — but it will likely be the Jets. Adams shouldn't be completely ruled out for a roster spot, considering he led the team in rushing last season and still has plenty of potential, but he seems to be sixth on the depth chart right now. Former Eagles' personnel man Joe Douglas will likely scoop up Adams if he is waived, however, so tonight is likely the last time Adams will wear the midnight green before trading it in for a lighter version.
Nate Herbig, Matt Pryor and Stefen Wisniewski: The Eagles enter Thursday night with seven players locked into the offensive line — the five starters plus Andre Dillard and
Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The question is whether they will add two more to that list or three, and whether Jordan Mailata is going to end up on the injured reserve list with a back injury. Herbig was not in the conversation for a roster spot at the beginning of camp but has slowly worked his way up the depth chart, and might have even passed Wisniewski at backup center. Wisniewski is likely going to make the roster, barring a trade, but he could use a good game tonight.
T.J. Edwards and Alex Singleton: The duo of undrafted linebackers have had a solid, but not spectacular, camp. The injuries at linebacker, however, could cause the Eagles to keep one on the roster. Of the two Edwards likely has the better chance, as the Eagles gave him the most money of all the undrafted free agents they signed, and he would be one of only two true middle linebackers on the roster.
Greg Ward Jr.: Ward's chances of making the roster are very slim, but he has earned his way onto the roster bubble with a stellar training camp. Ward pulled in 26 catches during training camp with three touchdowns, making him one of the most productive players among the receivers. The only way Ward makes this roster is if the team trades Nelson Agholor — something that is unlikely, but not impossible.
Alex Ellis: Ellis came to the Eagles known as a strong blocking tight end, but he has flashed as a receiver as well, increasing his chances of making the roster. The injuries to Richard Rodgers and Dallas Goedert could increase Ellis' chances. If he has another strong game tonight the team will likely feel comfortable enough to either cut or place Rodgers on IR, ending his season and keeping Ellis.
Rudy Ford: The Eagles added Ford last week in a trade. Coming into camp so late puts him at a disadvantage, but his strong reputation as a special-teams player gives him a chance to find his way onto the final roster. Special teams coach Dave Fipp will be watching Ford very closely tonight, and he could pound the table to keep him on the roster.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
