Eagles Make Another Series Of Roster Moves, Waive Former Draft Pick

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to tinker the back end of their roster heading into Week 2 of the preseason, the most notable move parting ways with a former draft pick.

Johnny Wilson has been waived by the Eagles with an injury designation in a series of moves, as Philadelphia signed Brandon Hayes to the roster. This is the third time Hayes has been signed since June.

The Eagles also put cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields in injured reserve with a shin injury. They also signed center Zeke Carroll, as he was an undrafted free agent who spent the 2025 season on the Minnesota Vikings.

The notable move was Wilson, who went from batting for the fifth receiver spot to no longer on the 90-man roster. What transpired over the past week with Wilson?

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What happened to Wilson in the WR roster battle

Wilson was one of the clubhouse leaders for the No. 5 receiver spot entering training camp. Missing all of the 2025 season with knee and ankle injuries suffered last August, Wilson was looking to bounce back from those injuries and make the roster.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2024, Wilson developed a reputation as a blocker and red zone threat in his rookie season. He was on track to make the team last year prior to the injuries, and had a strong spring -- enough where he made initial 53-man roster projections.

Wilson had a solid start to the summer, but was passed on the depth chart by Darius Cooper and Elijah Moore. Both had strong summers and are candidates to make the 53-man roster, while knee issues kept Wilson out of the preseason opener and the joint practices this week.

The writing was on the wall regarding Wilson and the Eagles. He essentially got lost in the roster equation at wide receiver and wasn't going to make the 53. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the lone fifth-round pick or later from the 2024 draft class still on the roster.

Eagles are extremely thin at cornerback

The Eagles were thin at cornerback before Castro-Fields was trying to play through his shin injury. With no Castro-Fields this weekend, they are extremely thin.

The top three cornerbacks (the starters) won't be playing, so the starters at cornerback are projected to be Kelee Ringo and Ambry Thomas on the outside. Mac McWilliams should see time in the slot and on the outside. These three will get a lot of snaps in preseason game two.

Jonathan Jones (shoulder) and Jakorian Bennett (knee) haven't practiced all week. Shaun Wade (eye/shoulder) is also banged up and Isaiah Bolden just signed this week. The Eagles may just have five cornerbacks active for the second preseason game -- six if Michael Carter is included.

Eagles need more wide receivers

With DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Makai Lemon (hamstring) not expected to play, the Eagles needed another receiver with Elijah Moore dealing with a neck injury and Johnny Wilson going on injured reserve.

Back comes Hayes, who was on the team during OTAs in May and June and a few practices in training camp before being waived again. Hayes is an undrafted free agent who was signed after rookie minicamp tryouts. He's here to get through the second preseason game.

The Eagles will have a long look at Darius Cooper on Saturday, same with Quez Watkins and Britain Covey. Samori Toure and Erik Ezukamna will get a lot of snaps too, based on the depth at wide receiver and how the first team had a heavy week in joint practice.

The Eagles just need to get through the next nine days before the 53-man roster is decided.

Who is Zeke Carroll?

Carroll actually has some familiarity with offensive line coach Chris Kuper, as he was a rookie with the Vikings last season -- and Kuper was the offensive line coach. A center at North Carolina State, teh former undrafted free agent was cut by the Vikings in mid-August last year.

The Eagles have Willie Lampkin and Jake Majors as centers to get them through Saturday, but both are expected to see time at guard. They'll need a third center if they want to move Majors and/or Lampkin over. Remember Lampkin is close to a roster lock, so he may see limited time.

This is an opportunity for Carroll to rack up some game tape. These roster spots have to be filled somehow.

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