Eagles 2021 practice squad tracker: Most of the group filled

After putting together their initial 53-man roster, the Eagles are now in the process of creating their 16-member practice squad.

Thanks to new practice squad rule implemented last year, the practice squad is bigger and more important than ever.

“When we think about our roster going into the season, we talk about two parts,” GM Howie Roseman said on Tuesday. “We talk about the 70-man roster that we have with our practice squad guys, our 16 guys and our international player, Matt Leo, and then the 53 guys.”

The Eagles announced 15 moves on Wednesday, which means they had two more spots to fill. One will go to DT Marvin Wilson and one will reportedly go to WR KeeSean Johnson.

Here's most of the practice squad:

LB JaCoby Stevens: The only 2021 draft pick to get cut is coming back on their practice squad. Stevens played safety at LSU but is transitioning to a hybrid linebacker role with the Eagles. He missed significant time during training camp with an injury.

WR John Hightower: The 2020 fifth-round pick didn't have a great camp and dealt with an injury but the Eagles will be able to continue developing him.

WR Travis Fulgham: Fulgham was the Eagles' leading receiver last year but he was still able to clear waivers and return to their practice squad. Fulgham was not at Wednesday's practice.

RB Jordan Howard: The Eagles kept just three running backs on their active roster so it sounds like Howard or Jason Huntley might be called up as the situations dictate. Howard is still the most experienced back in that room.

RB Jason Huntley: After a strong start to training camp with the Eagles, Huntley suffered a ribs injury that slowed him down. But he has pure speed and kick return ability.

OG Sua Opeta: Opeta has been with the Eagles since 2019 and played in eight games with two starts last season.

OL Kayode Awosika: The undrafted OL out of Buffalo had a very good training camp for the Eagles and had a legitimate shot at the roster. Instead, he'll stick around and continue to learn under Jeff Stoutland

S Elijah Riley: After a strong camp, Riley is back on the practice squad. Riley had a strong shot to make the roster and might end up playing some this season as a special teams ace.

DT Raequan Williams: The Eagles bring back the second-year UDFA from Michigan State. Williams got his feet wet last year and is a bigger bodied DT than some of the others the Eagles have.

CB Craig James: A special teams standout, James didn’t do enough to make the roster but sticks around on the practice squad.

OT Le’Raven Clark: The veteran came back from an Achilles tear for the end of training camp. Keeping him on the practice squad is a big boost for depth.

OL Ross Pierschbacher: The Eagles brought Pierschbacher in late last year. The was a fifth-round choice to Washington out of Alabama in 2019.

CB Michael Jacquet: The long cornerback is back on the practice squad again this season after going undrafted last year. Jacquet has had his struggles but the Eagles have worked with him for two years.

S Grayland Arnold: A UDFA out of Baylor last year, Arnold ended up buried on the Eagles' depth chart this summer but will proved them some depth.

*DE Matt Leo: Roseman confirmed during his press conference on Tuesday that Leo will be kept on the Eagles’ practice squad as an extra 17th member. The 29-year-old Australian is from the NFL’s International Pathway Program and is an exempt player for the practice squad.

DT Marvin Wilson: The Eagles have lured Wilson away from Cleveland, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark reported. This one isn't official yet; Wilson has to get here. Wilson went undrafted out of Florida State and the Browns spent a ton of money to lure him to Cleveland. They gave him a $30,000 signing bonus and $162,000 guaranteed. So the Eagles’ getting him is a nice addition.

WR KeeSean Johnson (per Adam Caplan): Johnson (6-2, 201) was drafted in the sixth round by the Cardinals out of Freson State back in 2019. In his first two NFL seasons, Johnson has 36 catches for 360 yards and 1 touchdown. He hasn’t been much of a special teams contributor.

* International exemption; 17th player

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