On one hand, you have a chance to be a part of an NFL team and work with the team throughout the week. However, many practice squad players never get the call to the active roster they are desperately waiting for. Others make the cut only to be deactivated on game day and serve as a spectator. For some of the Eagles practice squad players, the wait has finally been worth it.
With a host of key contributors on offense sidelined with injuries, players such as Boston Scott, Greg Ward and Josh Perkins are finally getting the chance to show they can play at the NFL level. All three played a part in the Eagles' comeback win over the Giants on Monday night.
"It's been a crazy journey," said Ward. "Like I've been saying, you've just got to have patience. I've been having patience and been praying a lot. My opportunity came. As far as my role, I'm just doing whatever I can to help. Whatever they ask me to do, that's what I'm going to do."
Ward's journey to his current role was a long one. He was on the practice squad when the Eagles won the Super Bowl and has been on and off the practice squad ever since. Ward has 11 catches so far this season and has helped a unit that has been decimated by injuries. Tight end Josh Perkins was activated this month and was forced to double as wide receiver on Monday.
"They kind of prepared it for me early in the week," Perkins said. "They told me to be ready and look at certain spots. Going into the game, I was kind of already prepared a little bit just in case something happened."
Preparation has made the difference for these former practice squad players. Another standout has been running back Boston Scott, who has 153 yards on 33 carries, along with 74 yards receiving out of the backfield. Offensive coordinator Mike Groh says the coaching staff has always been able to keep a sharp eye on the practice squad performers in case they got the call to step in and make an impact on the season.
"We're obviously all out there and have eyes on those guys at all times. In particular, the position coaches," said Groh. "If you're speaking about when we're servicing the defense and getting them prepared to play, you have the opportunity to watch those guys and observe those guys and see how they show up each and every day. And then also in the individual drills, you can see the progress they're making there in terms of their technique and things that we're coaching."
Doug Pederson has already indicated the practice squad players will continue to have a role on the team even when some of the regulars return. They have been able to bide their time until their opportunity arrived. Now, they are not only helping the Eagles win but also proving to be some of the more versatile players on the roster.
"It's a great credit to the players," Groh said. "To be able to have the mental flexibility to go out there and the physical versatility to be able to play the different spots and move those pieces around and go out there and perform at the level they did. It's a great credit to everybody involved."