Braxton Miller is on the Eagles’ practice squad.
He most likely won't be for long.
This is a typical Howie Roseman move. Bring in a kid with tons of upside who didn't pan out in his previous NFL stop, sign him to the practice squad, let the coaches take a good look at him for a few weeks, then either move on to the next guy or promote him to the 53-man roster.
The Eagles on Monday morning formally announced what was revealed over the weekend, that they had added the former two-time Big Ten Player of the Year to their practice squad.
Miller, who converted from quarterback to receiver his last year at Ohio State, was released last month after two largely disappointing seasons with the Texans.
The Eagles need help at receiver. They need some firepower.
Maybe Miller isn’t the answer, but he said one of the reasons he came here was because of a sense that of all the teams he spoke with, the Eagles offered the best chance at a quick jump to the 53-man roster.
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“It came down to what’s the best opportunity for me,” Miller said after practice Monday. “Start here and work my way up. Compete and show what I can do.”
Miller is an intriguing prospect and definitely worth taking a look.
He’s 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, he can run, he can catch, he can throw. It just remains to be seen if he can do those things on the NFL level.
“I love this type of scheme, everybody making plays,” he said. “Just trying to show them I’m on top of my game. Keep working hard and fitting in with the guys who are already here. Anything the coaches want me to do, I’ll do it.”
Miller was the Texans’ third-round pick in 2016 but was just 15 for 99 receiving as a rookie and 19 for 162 last year.
Other than a 57-yard catch from Tom Savage against the Titans last December, he didn’t catch a pass of 20 yards or more in his two seasons in Houston.
He was released Sept. 1 and has been back home in Columbus, Ohio, since, figuring out his next step.
“It’s been up and down,” Miller said of his time with the Texans. “I had good moments and bad moments. Everything’s a process, so I’m just hoping for the best. Just compete and have fun doing it. That’s the thing. Get back to having fun doing it and being around a group of guys who have fun doing it.
“It’s a fresh start. Different scheme, different offense, different culture. The love that I got when I came here first day is great. I can tell everybody plays for each other, and that’s what I like.”
The Eagles, who got just 43 receiving yards from the wide receiver spot in their win over the Falcons Thursday night, also added receivers Reggie Davis and Dorren Miller to their practice squad Monday.
Davis, who played at Georgia, was with the Falcons this summer and Miller was with the Jaguars.
It’s got to be a little humbling for a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist to be on a practice squad, where he'll earn about $8,000 a week after earning $1.7 million the last two years in Houston.
You’d think.
Miller smiles and shakes his head when asked about that.
“I’m good,” he said. “As long as I’m on a team right now playing ball and showcasing my talents, it’s a great opportunity and being coached by one of the best. Just happy to be here, go out and compete and have fun.
“I always keep a smile on my face, always be happy because I’m just blessed to be here. Blessed to be playing football and being healthy. I got a son at home who keeps me happy so I can’t be down too much.
“It’s all part of the journey. It’s a process. Don’t feel like I’m on the practice squad. Feel like I’m free, playing football, being happy, having fun.”
Some guys stay on the practice squad for a year or even longer.
You get the feeling that won't be the case with Miller. This isn't a 22- or 23-year-old kid the Eagles want to take time developing.
He's a third-year pro, 25 years old, a former third-round pick.
This is no long-range project.
The Eagles should know soon whether he's going to be a part of their future or just another big-name guy who's not cut out for the NFL.