The Philadelphia Eagles cut 34 players on Saturday, trimming their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players. Here’s a closer look at the final cuts:
Most significant move: Massive former Australian Rugby League player-turned-offensive tackle Jordan Mailata beat the odds and made the team. He was introduced to the sport in January and had his share of humbling moments on the practice field since being drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round, but Mailata has shown a remarkable amount of growth in a short period of time. The Eagles were concerned that he would be plucked by another team if put on waivers. They might keep him away from game action this year as he continues to develop, but the coaching staff feels good about his prospects over the long term.
Fourth-round RB released: Donnel Pumphrey, a fourth-round selection of the Eagles in 2017, was among Saturday's cuts. He was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury at the start of last season following a rocky training camp. He looked more comfortable and explosive on the practice field this summer, but was again sidelined with a hamstring injury for part of the preseason and was unable to make up ground. The Eagles released promising rookie RB Josh Adams as well, opting to keep Wendell Smallwood as the fourth running back behind Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles. Adams had a difficult time staying healthy.
A heartwarming story: Wide receiver DeAndre Carter finally made it. He has been cut six times since joining the league as a 5-foot-8 undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State in 2015. He kept at it to fulfill a promise to his little brother Kaylan, who died in the summer of 2013 at age 17. Kaylan was a football player with NFL aspirations as well. On his deathbed, DeAndre promised him that he'd make it in the league for both of them. A standout summer led to this unexpected roster berth.
Eagles moves: Released:WR Kamar Aiken, DE Steven Means, WR Markus Wheaton; Waived: RB Josh Adams, CB De'Vante Bausby, LB Asantay Brown, TE Billy Brown, QB Joe Callahan, DT Winston Craig, WR Rashard Davis, TE Anthony Denham, G Aaron Evans, DE Danny Ezechukwu, S Ironhead Gallon, G Darrell Greene, QB Christian Hackenberg, T Taylor Hart, RB Matt Jones, DE Joe Ostman, WR Darius Prince, RB Donnel Pumphrey, DT Elijah Qualls, S Jeremy Reaves, DT Aziz Shittu, CB Chandon Sullivan, C Jon Toth, WR Bryce Treggs, WR Greg Ward, LB Jaboree Williams, LB Kyle Wilson, WR Tim Wilson; Waived/injured: CB DJ Killings, TE Gannon Sinclair, T Toby Weathersby; Reserve/PUP: S Chris Maragos; Reserve/NFI: DT Tim Jernigan