Eagles Stay Quiet on Waiver Wire
PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) — After cutting down to 53 on Friday the Eagles went through the waiver process without being awarded any players.
Two ex-Philadelphia players waived on Friday were claimed by others with offensive tackle Brett Toth heading to Arizona, and running back Wendell Smallwood staying in the NFC East after being claimed by the Eagles Week 1 opponent, the Washington Redkins.
Toth was certainly going to be a part of the Philadelphia practice squad had he cleared waivers and it was a bit of surprise the Cardinals gave him a 53-man slot because the West Point product is coming off a year of inactivity and only started training for football again when President Donald Trump approved a waiver from his two-year service requirement. At 290 pounds Toth told reporters his goal was to get up to 315 by next season, meaning he's a bit of a project but Arizona was so desperate for offensive line help it agreed to essentially let Toth ramp up as part of the actual roster.
As for Smallwood, the veteran running back was out of lives in Philadelphia after Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders were added in the offseason. Regarded as a versatile back who can do a little of everything but nothing at a really high level, Smallwood essentially replaces another ex-Eagle, Byron Marshall, in D.C.
The Eagles, meanwhile, filled up most of their practice squad by bringing back six players and going outside the organization for three more, including defensive tackle Bruce Hector, who was traded to the Cards earlier this month for safety Rudy Ford. Former New York Giants fourth-round draft pick Kyle Lauletta, an Exton native who grew up an Eagles fan, was added as the developmental quarterback and ex-Atlanta receiver Marcus Green was also brought in.
Brought back after clearing waivers was tight ends Alex Ellis and Josh Perkins, offensive guard Sua Opeta, running back Boston Scott, receiver Greg Ward and linebacker Alex Singleton.
Two players waived by the Eagles joined other practice squads: RB Josh Adams reunited with Joe Douglas and the New York Jets while fifth-round pick Clayton Thorson is now in Dallas. Receiver Shelton Gibson, who was waived earlier this summer, also joined Cleveland's practice squad.
More moves are likely over the next two days and Philadelphia will be working out at least two players, former Minnesota cornerback Craig James as well as former Green Bay and New Orleans special teams standout Chris Banjo, a safety by trade.
Meanwhile, veteran corner Orlando Scandrick, who was released by the Eagles Friday, will be visiting the Houston Texans.
And oh yeah, Los Angeles Chargers holdout star RB started following the Eagles on Instagram so let the speculation begin.
-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen