Eagles waive DeAndre Carter, possibly signaling a long-awaited return

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The Eagles on Tuesday waived wide receiver/return man DeAndre Carter, who has been the team’s punt and kick returner for much of the 2018 season. 

This might be a signal that veteran Darren Sproles really is close to returning or that Golden Tate is set to return punts this weekend. 

Filling Carter’s spot on the 53-man roster is defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, whom the Eagles actually claimed in October but waived shortly after because he failed his physical. Apparently, McGill is now healthy. Tim Jernigan has been cleared to practice while still on the NFI, but this move clearly seems to indicate he won’t be ready to play this Sunday. 

Carter, 25, made the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster, then spent nine days on the practice squad before he was called back up in late September. At that time, he became the Eagles’ top punt and kick returner. 

While Carter had just two catches for 21 yards this season, he has returned 10 punts for 103 yards and 10 kicks for 204 yards. 

Carter’s main role with the Eagles was as a return man, so this move either means Sproles is ready to take back his job or maybe newcomer Tate might be up for some returning. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp had made it clear that whenever Sproles returns, the punt returner job is his. 

Without Carter on the roster, the Eagles are now carrying five receivers: Tate, Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews and Shelton Gibson. 

Carter is subject to waivers, but the Eagles already brought him back to the practice squad once this season after cutting him. It would make sense if they did it again for the journeyman receiver who finally fulfilled a promise to his once-dying brother when he made the Eagles’ roster (see story).

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