The Eagles on Tuesday afternoon protected their four practice squad players for the week leading into their game against the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
There’s a chance we might see one or two of them in the playoffs:
- T Kayode Awosika
- DB Jared Mayden
- DB Mac McCain
- LB JaCoby Stevens
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All four of those players have played for the Eagles during the 2021 regular season and there’s a chance we might see one of them on Sunday in Tampa, especially if the Eagles need a boost on special teams.
READ: Eagles activate Fletcher Cox, Dallas Goedert, more from COVID-19 list
It’ll be worth watching the status of linebacker and special teams ace Shaun Bradley this week. Bradley has a shoulder injury that knocked him out of the Eagles’ game in Week 18 early. If Bradley can’t go, then either Mayden or Stevens could be in line to replace him on some key units.
“Our job as special teams coaches is to make sure that if he does go down, ‘Well, who do we put in next?’” special teams coordinator Michael Clay said. “That's happened a couple times this year where something has flared up on Shaun and we've had to go to a reserve right there and they have done a great job. Jack Stoll has done an awesome job for filling in for him. JaCoby in the Washington game did a good job in having to make a play when he got called up.
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“So, it's more to those guys, everyone in the room, whether you're on the active or practice squad, getting ready and just never know when your game is going to be called and being ready and confident doing that. We would like to have Shaun ready and willing to go. So, we will just take it day by day, just like anything else.”
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Mayden this season has played in four games and has compiled 62 special teams snaps. Stevens (the draft pick from LSU) has been active the last two weeks and played 36 special teams snaps. And McCain has played in two games this season with a total of 33 special teams snaps.
Awosika made his NFL debut in Week 18 and played 43 snaps on offense but none on special teams.
Earlier this week, the Eagles put three players (J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Tyree Jackson and Brett Toth) on IR. The Eagles have one spot open on their 53-man roster.
And in the playoffs, teams have limited practice squad elevations.