Former two-time NFL All-Pro earns late invite to Eagles rookie minicamp

Remember this guy? Hey, if they have speed, bring them in!
Jakeem Grant, Philadelphia Eagles news
Jakeem Grant, Philadelphia Eagles news / Phil Masturzo / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Well, we get it! Rookie minicamp has arrived. The Philadelphia Eagles' draftees and the UDFA class have an opportunity to spend two days at the NovaCare Complex (May 2nd and May 3rd). Philly might as well get some extra work in, right?

While the new guys are meeting position coaches and whatnot, leadership has decided to hold tryouts. We've known about John Ross and his chance for a few days. As the weekend arrives, we have learned of another.

The Eagles have offered a tryout to a former two-time Second-Team All-Pro, return specialist Jakeem Grant.

They're called 'the three phases' for a reason. We talk about offense and defense constantly, but without a decent special teams unit, things can fall apart quickly. Look how many times Jake Elliott has pulled the Birds out of the fire.

A few of the Eagles' rookies will contribute early on special teams. Still, Philly decided to invite Jakeem Grant to rookie camp anyway. Longtime NFL reporter Aaron Wilson was first with the report.

Grant is a five-foot-six, 170-pounder. He earned a Second-Team All-Pro nod twice as a kick-return specialist (2020, 2021). He also earned a spot on the Pro Bowl roster in 2021.

If you're looking for a size comparison, he and recently-departed Boston Scott are the same height. Bosco is about 33 pounds heavier. While it's doubtful the Birds will offer Grant a roster spot, we can see why there is intrigue and why the effort was made to bring him in.

Hey, if they can run, why not? We know he could do that the last time we saw him despite the fact that an unfortunate injury forced his NFL journey to hit the pause button.

He enjoyed stops with the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and Cleveland Browns between 2016 and 2023. We haven't seen him since he was diagnosed with a ruptured patellar tendon in August of 2023.

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