While most Philadelphia Eagles fans are interested in who will make the 53-man roster, there are just as many players trying to fight their way onto the practice squad.
It may not seem like a glamorous life to be on the practice squad, but it keeps the player in the organization, and they can be called up at any time, the glamorous ones, to fill in for any injury on the team. These guys are the unsung heroes who don't get nearly enough respect.
One player on the Eagles' roster was always going to be a long shot to make the 53-man roster. The thing about wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, though, is that he may end up being an impact player even if he doesn't step on the field in 2026.
Erik Ezukanma is an underrated addition to the Eagles after a solid training camp
Before coming to Philly, Ezukanma had played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. Back in the spring, he played in the UFL for the DC Defenders, posting 15 receptions for 227 yards and a touchdown, nine rushes for 79 yards, and 18 kick returns for 459 yards.
More attention has been on other receivers like Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper, and Elijah Moore, but Ezukanma is having himself a nice training camp. The Eagles have put Ezukanma at wide receiver and have also used him as a special teams returner.
Through two preseason games, Ezukanma has caught four passes for 36 yards and nabbed the lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' 24-7 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. He also has five kickoff returns for 130 yards.
With training camp wrapped up for the Eagles, Ezukanma ended things on a high note with a strong showing. It had many of the Eagles reporters highlighting what has been a solid training camp for the former UFL receiver.
"Former UFL receiver Erik Ezukanma caught a touchdown pass on 4th-and-goal from Tanner McKee in team drills," NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro said. "There’s not a spot for Ezukanma but he has been battling this summer. And it was an excellent pass on the money from McKee."
"Tanner McKee hits Erik Ezukanma for a TD in the back of the end zone," nj.com's Cayden Steele said. "Ezukanma probably won’t make the roster, but he has flashed during training camp and in the preseason as a returner."
Tanner McKee hits Erik Ezukanma for a TD in the back of the end zone. Ezukanma probably won’t make the roster, but he has flashed dyeing training camp and in the preseason as a returner.
— Cayden Steele (@cayden_steele19) August 26, 2026
Ezukanma likely won't make the roster, but he could be a good returner option for the Eagles. He had been competing with Will Shipley and Britain Covey on kickoff returns.
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The Eagles may not have a spot for Ezukanma on the 53-man roster, but the practice squad is not out of the question for him. If he balls out against the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason finale, he's got a great chance of getting the job done there.
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