PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Although Haloti Nagata had been able to practice this week on a limited basis after missing the previous two games with a calf problem, the Eagles felt they needed more ammunition on the defensive interior with Carolina set to arrive at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

To accomplish that goal Philadelphia promoted Bruce Hector from the practice squad and released receiver Kamar Aiken.

Hector was the lone undrafted rookie to make the Eagles' original 53-man roster and stuck for four games until the Eagles decided second-player Treyvon Hester was an upgrade.

Now both Hester and Hector are on the active roster as Philadelphia attempts to develop a competent interior rotation to supplement the tremendous production the team is getting from Defensive Player of the Year candidate Fletcher Cox.

As for Nagata coach Doug Pederson said he was "progressing well and we’ll see where he’s at after practice [on Friday]."

The Eagles waived/injured third-year defensive tackle Destiny Vaeao on Tuesday to make room for cornerback Dexter McDougle. Aiken, meanwhile, was re-signed in Week 2 but his role on offense had diminished after Jordan Matthews was brought back to the organization.

In other injury news Pederson expects to have both of his starting offensive tackles -- Jason Peters (biceps) and Lane Johnson (ankle)-- for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers although Halapoulivaati Vaitai, the team's game day swing tackle, will certainly be on high alert.

The coach, though, virtually ruled out Darren Sproles for a sixth straight game with a hamstring injury but hopes the veteran will be back at practice next week.

“We’re optimistic,” Pederson said. “Again, I don’t want to push him with the injury he’s had to his lower body, obviously being a runner and a sprinter. We just want to make sure he’s good. Optimism is high and hopefully, we can get him back next week.”

Cornerback Rasul Douglas, meanwhile, is back after missing two days for his grandmother’s death and is expected to play Sunday.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

More From 97.3 ESPN