The Philadelphia Eagles officially announced the four transactions Friday afternoon. Here’s an overview:
Let’s break this news down on a player-by-player basis.
Of the two promotions to the practice squad, Majors is the more significant as he is expected to start in center on Sunday. With Cam Jurgens traded away and Drew Kendall out with a knee injury, Majors is the Eagles’ third-string pivot option. Majors, who entered the NFL last year as an undrafted rookie free agent, will make his NFL regular season debut on Sunday. He played better in the preseason than he did in training camp practices this summer, which isn’t saying much.
Steele was a rare fun player to watch during the Eagles’ preseason games. The running back/fullback hybrid led the team in receiving this summer with 14 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. There were many plays where he blocked defenders to pick up extra yardage.
There was some concern that another team might claim Steele on waivers after the Eagles cut him … but that didn’t happen. Instead he was signed to the Eagles’ practice squad, where he came from when called up.
Steele is the RB3 behind Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce (who was also called up from the practice squad earlier this week) in Week 5 with Saquon Barkley ruled out and Tank Bigsby on injured reserve. Most of his action will likely come on special teams.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Eagles have interest in returning Dalton to the practice squad. Why? Nope.
Dalton, who turns 39 next month, isn’t looking good at this point in his career. It didn’t make sense for the Eagles to keep him as their QB2. Kudos to them for finally waking up and cutting him. But the team wasted reps while splitting them between Dalton and Tanner McKee this summer. They can go to a player to actually prepare them to be a QB2. That should have taken a higher priority than trying to potentially flip one of Dalton or McKee for a small trade return.
Anyway, at least he’s gone for now.
Bernard probably got hurt in practice. He will lose time. Placing him on this list will not free up a spot on the practice squad because he no longer counts against the limit on his international exemption.