Eagles Bring Nine Back, Add TE Chris Pantale to Practice Squad

PHILADELPHIA - Hand-wringing over certain cuts proved to be just that for the Eagles as no team in the NFL tipped into the Philadelphia pool on the waiver wire.

Because of that the Eagles were able to build their practice squad by bringing nine players back to the NovaCare Complex, while adding tight end Chris Pantale to finish off the group.

Those returning included 2015 draft picks, cornerback Randall Evans and defensive end Brian Mihalik, as well as speedy running back Raheem Mostert, offensive linemen Malcolm Bunche and Brett Boyko, aide receivers Freedie Martino and Quron Pratt, linebacker Deontae Skinner and safety Ed Reynolds.

Pantale, a former Boston College tight end, was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent after the '13 draft and appeared in five games with New York last season, primarily as a special teams player. He was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears in May of '15.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was the fact that Martino and Pratt were kept over local product Rasheed Bailey, who became a fan favorite after a strong preseason. Martino, though, has NFL experience with the Falcons and Pratt, also a local kid, has been in this offense for over a year after spending '14 on the Eagles' practice squad.

Cornerback Jaylen Watkins, who was cut Sunday in favor of undrafted rookie Denzel RIce, signed with Buffalo's practice squad.

Here are the rules regarding practice squad eligibility:

-Rookies or first-year players are eligible for the practice squad. Any player that has been on an active roster for fewer than six games, or on the 46-man game day roster for fewer than nine games are eligible as well. Each team is allowed to sign two practice squad players that have one accrued NFL season, but fewer than two.

-Practice squad players have full access to the facility and attend all meetings and practice sessions with their NFL team, but they are not allowed to dress for games or travel to road games.

-Teams can cut practice squad players and sign others to take their place at any time.

-An opposing team cannot sign another team’s practice squad player to their own practice squad. They can only sign another team’s practice squad player to their 53-man roster.

-Practice squad players earn a minimum of $6,300 per week in regular season, is $107,100 for a 17-week season.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com and on Twitter @JFMcMullen