Defensive tackle Justin Hamilton's perseverance has paid off.
His 20th transaction since entering the league as a rookie free agent in 2015 resulted in being placed on an active 53-man roster for the first time.
The Eagles promoted Hamilton from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of the team's trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers. Prior to the move, the Eagles had only three healthy defensive tackles with Fletcher Cox (calf) and Destiny Vaeao (wrist) unavailable for Sunday's game due to injury. To make room for Hamilton, the Eagles waived safety Trae Elston.
The 24-year-old Hamilton signed with the Eagles following the 2016 season and spent Training Camp and preseason with the team. He flashed over the summer, accumulating six tackles, one for loss, in the four preseason games. However, Hamilton was caught up in a numbers game at the deepest position on the squad. The Eagles thought highly enough of Hamilton to keep him on the practice squad.
Hamilton's NFL career started with Buffalo two years ago after a stellar tenure at Louisiana-Lafayette where he totaled 102 tackles, 14 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 51 career games. Before coming to Philadelphia, the 6-2, 315-pound Hamilton spent time on the Packers' and Seahawks' practice squads.
