Philadelphia

Eagles

It’s a reasonable assessment for a rookie who missed valuable spring and summer practice reps due to a recurring hamstring strain. Lemon reportedly admitted that he should have been “more professional off the field” regarding the injury, and Eagles WR coach Aaron Moorehead eventually told him to do “whatever” WR DeVonta Smith did during his own hamstring rehab program. Per McManus, “coaches say Lemon attacked the mental part of the game with high intensity as he waited to get healthy.” McManus believes Lemon should get playing time right away, but Smith and WR Dontayvion Wicks will “receive the bulk of targets while the rookie gets his footing.” Lemon must be safely stashed on benches at this time.

McManus adds that “the feedback internally has been positive” regarding Hurts’ development. Mannion’s West Coast-style system is a “heavy under-center operation” that will increase the team’s play-action rate, decrease its shotgun usage and require the quarterback and his pass catchers to be on time throughout the play. Hurts has thrown more interceptions than beat reporters are “accustomed to seeing” in training camp, but McManus believes “some” of them can be chalked up to the learning curve that comes with a new system, particularly one featuring passes thrown over the middle. McManus adds that the offensive line depth’s emergence has been the biggest under-the-radar development this season, boding positively for Hurts’ performance in both the short- and long-term.

It’s unknown what injury he has at this time. Calcaterra will miss at least the first four weeks of the season. It doesn’t seem like Eagles fans are particularly upset about this. Assuming they don’t bring in Zach Ertz as a secondary tight end, Johnny Mundt and Eli Stowers figure to be the main players behind Dallas Goedert this year.

Blue was waived by the Cowboys and went unclaimed, and the 2025 fifth-round pick will remain in the NFC East. He’ll begin the campaign behind Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley as backups to Saquon Barkley, but some strong performances in practice could give the 22-year-old a chance to receive touches in 2026.

Ertz is on the mend after tearing his ACL last year. While nothing is imminent, Ertz could make sense for the Eagles current tight end room. Philadelphia is lacking in legitimate receiving options behind Dallas Goedart despite keeping four tight ends on their initial 53-man roster. Ertz turns 36 in November and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor at this point in his career, but could still be an upgrade on the Eagles’ current tight end depth.

The news was first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Pierce was released by the Eagles on Sunday with the team keeping Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley to backup Saquon Barkley. Pierce will head to the practice squad and be the next running back up if an injury arises.

Watkins was once upon a time an Eagles folk hero reserve but has not appeared in a regular season game since 2023. Also waived/released by the Eagles were LB Chance Campbell, WR Britain Covey, WR Danny Gray, EDGE Tarron Jackson, OG Michael Jordan, RB Dameon Pierce, TE Stone Smartt, CB Ambry Thomas, CB Shaun Wade, DT Uar Bernard, DT David Blay, CB Isaiah Bolden, C Zeke Correll, WR Erik Ezukanma, LB Brandon George, DB Kapena Gushiken, DT Gabe Hall, G/T Myles Hinton, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby, TE Cameron Latu, LB Deontae Lawson, DB Jaylen Mahoney, G/C Jake Majors, RB Jordan Mims, OT John Ojukwu, S Maximus Pulley, EDGE Jose Ramirez, S Andre’ Sam, RB Carson Steele, WR Samari Toure, WR Tahj Washington, EDGE Joshua Weru, OT Cameron Williams, DT Zion Wilson and S Cole Wisniewski.

Per Aaron Wilson, the Eagles want Pierce back on the practice squad. We’ll see how that goes. Pierce is a good returner so he does have some special-teams versatility.

Lemon had a rough night, but tonight’s outcome does not make him any less of a top-tier prospect. The first-round rookie was sidelined by a recurring hamstring injury for much of the spring and summer, so a rusty first showing is understandable. Lemon took the blame, on the field, for QB Tanner McKee’s interception, although it is fair to note that McKee’s pass arrived late. Lemon had broken inward, off his stem, and an open window was available to the Eagles’ backup quarterback. Unfortunately, Lemon was forced to slow down and leap for the pass, accidentally batting it backward as he attempted to high-point it. Bengals CB Tacario Davis snagged it and that was that. Davis also broke up a pass intended for Lemon on a corner route 20 yards downfield earlier in the game. He had a good night. Lemon may need to ramp up for another couple of weeks, but he remains a smart draft pick in 12-team leagues. Lemon later went back into the game to field a punt, but went nowhere with it.

Philadelphia released Brandon Hayes in a corresponding move. Miami released Washington earlier this week. A 2024 seventh-round pick, Washington did not play as a rookie and appeared in six games last year. He caught three passes for 37 yards.