Eagles fans have finally had their wish granted.
Training camp and preseason standout wide receiver Paul Turner has officially been signed to the team’s 53-man roster.
To make room for Turner on the roster, the team released cornerback Aaron Grymes.
Turner, an undrafted receiver from Louisiana Tech, instantly became a fan favorite this summer, when he led the NFL in catches (17) during the preseason. He made the initial 53-man roster, but was waived so the team could bring in Bryce Treggs.
After he cleared waivers, Turner turned down other practice squad offers to stay in Philly on the Eagles’ practice squad, a move that endeared him to fans even more. That’s where he’s been since early September.
Until now.
“He’s done well,” head coach Doug Pederson said about Turner. “He’s, gosh, he’s made plays on the service team, going against our defense. A lot of times when you’re going against starters in practice, you get a good look at your young players that way. And he’s done a nice job. Even last week, in practice we were able to interject him into some of our offensive practice work to see where he’s at. He’s obviously a sharp kid and we look forward to giving him some more time this week.”
Turner’s standout training camp and preseason, along with the Eagles’ struggles at the wide receiver position – most recently Nelson Agholor’s free-fall – has had Eagles fans clamoring for Turner to be activated.
So, why did it take this long?
“Well, when you’re shuffling, when you’re having to get guys active for games, it’s all about numbers, getting guys activated and deactivated for games,” Pederson said. “A lot of times, it comes down to injury and just by sheer number, it hasn’t been in the works to get him up.”
Aside from Jordan Matthews, the Eagles just haven’t gotten much production from their other receivers: Agholor, Dorial Green-Beckham and Treggs.
Pederson on Monday said he is thinking about lightening Agholor’s load in the wake of the former first-round pick admitting that he’s in his own head. If Agholor does see a drop in playing time, it could mean Turner will get on the field.
As of Monday, Pederson said the team will not make a determination about whether or not Turner is active until later in the week.
If fans get their way, Turner will play on Monday against Green Bay at the Linc.
“I guess that fans like an ‘underdog story’ if that’s how you kind of want to put it,” Turner said in early September about support from Eagles fans. “I mean, I like it. If they’re behind me, I’m really appreciative of it. Everyone can always support someone who goes out there and works hard, but we’re all out there and working hard. A lot of people appreciate my story and if that’s what it is, hey, I’ll take it.”