Eagles waive Brett Toth, announce Week 9 practice squad protections

Roster news.

The Philadelphia Eagles needed to open up a roster spot in order to acquire Kary Vincent Jr. from the Denver Broncos ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. In order to do that, they waived offensive lineman Brett Toth.

It’s a little interesting/curious to see that Toth was the one who got the boot. The Eagles seemed to like his potential. They carried him on their roster even since reacquiring him during the 2020 season. They notably kept him on the 53-man roster this year ahead of fellow lineman Sua Opeta, who began the 2021 campaign on the practice squad. The Eagles also played Toth in garbage time ahead of Opeta, who was a healthy scratch, in Detroit.

One would think the Eagles would have interest in adding Toth back to their practice squad if he passes through waivers unclaimed. We’ll just have to wait and see if he makes it through.

Note that ALL players — vested veterans or otherwise — who get cut after the trade deadline are subject to waivers.

In other news, the Eagles announced their practice squad protections for Week 9. The following players can’t be poached ahead of Philly’s Week 9 game against the Los Angeles Chargers: running back Jordan Howard, wide receiver John Hightower, offensive tackle Le’Raven Clark, and safety Elijah Riley.

JORDAN HOWARD

With Miles Sanders on injured reserve, Howard is likely to be temporarily elevated to the game day roster for the second week in a row. He figures to split touches with Boston Scott, though Kenneth Gainwell could also be in the mix (TBD). With players being limited to two elevations per season, the Eagles are eventually going to have to add Howard to the roster if they want him on the team beyond this week.

JOHN HIGHTOWER

The Eagles value Hightower’s potential, as evidenced by them protecting him seven out of nine possible times thus far.

LE’RAVEN CLARK

With tackle depth being scarce in the NFL and the Eagles releasing Toth, it makes sense to make sure Clark isn’t going anywhere.

ELIJAH RILEY

The Eagles have protected Riley nine out of nine possible times this season. Probably in part because they like his potential but also because they’ve had some safety depth issues.

See below for a current look at the Eagles’ 2021 practice squad.

Format: Position, player, (times protected this season), [times elevated this season]*

*Not counting COVID-19 elevations.

S Elijah Riley (9) [1]

WR John Hightower (7)

RB Jordan Howard (4) [1]

OT Le’Raven Clark (4)

G/T Kayode Awosika (3)

CB Craig James (3)

TE Noah Togiai (2)

DT Marvin Wilson (2)

TE Richard Rodgers (1) [2]

RB Jason Huntley

WR KeeSean Johnson

WR Deon Cain

DE Cameron Malveaux

DT Raequan Williams

LB JaCoby Stevens

S Jared Mayden

{DE Matt Leo — international exemption – doesn’t count towards limit}