So much is on the line in this, the final week of 2024 Training Camp, culminating in Saturday's preseason finale. In case you aren't aware of the entire scope of things ahead for the Philadelphia Eagles, here is a primer ...
1. Sunday's practice at the NovaCare Complex was a scorcher of nearly two hours, and it was grinding. Players were stretched to the limit of this very physical, very competitive, and exhausting Training Camp. And here's the thing: There is a full week of practice ahead of them. Monday will be a walkthrough practice, so there is a physical reprieve, but the mental stress remains. Full practices are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
2. If you think you've got a handle on the first version of the 53-man roster, you're ahead of me. There are still roster spots to be won, from this perspective. I'm talking about most of the positions. To those in the preseason-games-don't-mean anything crowd, spend some time with this 90-man roster that, in a matter of a week-plus, will be cut down to 53. Players are fighting for their professional lives.
3. That brings us to the preseason finale on Saturday (1 PM, NBC10 in Philadelphia) against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. That game is very important for the players on the field. Of course they all want to be Eagles, but they also all understand that there are 31 other teams out there, and that there are 32 practice squads, and those spots are coveted. Even if you're not on an initial 53-man roster, you still have a chance to make your way onto the field through injuries or other circumstances.
4. Then comes the hold-your-breath few days. For the 2024 season, NFL teams must have their rosters reduced to a maximum of 53 players on the active list by 4 PM on August 27.
5. In the days after that, teams are active on the waiver wire, they're discussing potential trades, and they are constructing a practice squad of up to 16 players (The Eagles have a roster exemption for international player Laekin Vakalahi, the developmental offensive tackle from Australia). It is a frenzied time in the NFL for those few days and, really, it's kind of that way now. The Eagles are well-prepared for the machinations of the roster maneuvering, and, of course, we've seen Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman add to the roster in this window of time if an opportunity presents itself.
6. In the not-too-distant future is the regular-season opener in Brazil. September 6, to be exact. That's two days earlier than most teams in the league and the Eagles have adjusted their schedule to be ready to fly to Brazil on Wednesday before the game, have a walkthrough there on Thursday, and then face the Green Bay Packers on Friday night.
So, there you have it: An overview of what is in the immediate future for the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the nitty-gritty time for players and a team that has been together since the spring, working toward this very moment. I'm sure everyone out there wants to sprint to the start of the regular season, but the mindset at the NovaCare Complex is to maximize the moment and make the best decisions for the good of the football team. The teams that handle these days the best are the ones that have the most success in the season to come, and the Eagles have every bit of that goal in mind.
