RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 22: Cole Payton #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL preseason football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The official snap counts from the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals are in. TAke a look, y’all.
OFFENSE
Micah Morris played the second-most offensive snaps of any Eagles player this preseason, just four behind Jake Majors. Good to see for the rookie blocker’s development since he won’t be getting any snaps in the regular season (unless things have gone horribly wrong). On a side note, Majors might sneak onto the roster? He spent all of last season on the practice squad.
Not unlike Majors, John Ojukwu has felt like a dark horse roster candidate. Tend to think he’s off, though.
Is Carson Steele going to make the roster? He’s made a case for himself. But the fact that he played a lot might not bode well for his chances.
Quez Watkins played the most preseason snaps of any Eagles skill player with 108. And yet he had just two receptions for seven yards. At least he got a lot of cardio in by running all of those routes.
Tanner McKee played the entire first half on Friday night and he sure didn’t look good.
Not really sure what the point of playing Andy Dalton, who is entering his age 39 season, for 25 snaps in the second half of a preseason finale was. Like, we didn’t already know what he is/isn’t at this point? This entire Eagles backup quarterback battle has been weird at every step of the way.
Fred Johnson played in this game while rookie Markel Bell did not. Of course, Bell is banged up. Still, notable that Johnson was not rested. But at least it’s not like he played the entire night.
Elijah Moore played in this game while Darius Cooper did not. Moore is on the bubble. I have him making my final 53-man projection but I don’t feel awesome about it. He’s earned a spot and the coaches have talked him up … but he’s also a vested veteran who isn’t subject to waivers. Really second-guessing myself here.
Stone Smartt is tied with Maximus Pulley for the second-most special teams snaps played this summer. They’re behind Deontae Lawson in the top spot. Smartt is a practice squad contender.
Makai Lemon logged 17 special teams snaps and one special teams snap in his NFL debut. It didn’t go so great for the rookie wide receiver .
Myles Hinton didn’t see much playing time and it’s not like the Eagles were resting him. He’s just fallen off of roster consideration. Tough.
Dameon Pierce had some nice flashes but he hasn’t done enough to make the roster.
The Eagles experimented with using Cole Payton on punt coverage. He finished the summer with just 21 preseason snaps, 15 of which came in his encouraging NFL debut. Weird and disappointing that the Eagles didn’t make a better effort to get him more experience after that, unless they’re just trying to prevent other teams from poaching him? But maybe just play him and then keep him on your roster? Seems like a wasted developmental opportunity.
Tahj Washington got a little playing time after only signing with the Eagles two days ago .
DEFENSE
Kapena Gushiken had a rough game. Unlike last week, when he exclusively played slot cornerback, the Eagles split his snaps between nickel CB and safety.
The Eagles may have never had a better preseason Peanut Puncher than Shaun Wade. Three forced fumbles in three games.
The Eagles took a long look at Deontae Lawson this summer. Seems like he’s on the roster bubble.
Andre’ Sam led the Eagles in defensive snaps this preseason despite getting carted off in this game. Shame to see.
Zion Wilson logged the third-most snaps of any Eagles preseason defender this summer. Good to get him a lot of reps for his development. He at least belongs on the practice squad, if he doesn’t sneak onto the roster.
This was probably the last chance for Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard to play until next preseason.
Keyshawn James-Newby notched a sack in his NFL debut.
After splitting snaps between outside corner and slot corner in his first preseason game, Mac McWilliams was exclusively used at outside corner in the last two games. It seems like slot corner might be his better position, though.
Smael Mondon Jr. not playing too much makes me believe he’s on the team, in case that was in question at all.
Interesting to see that Michael Carter II suited up again. Marcus Epps did not play a preseason snap despite Vic Fangio’s insistence that there’s an ongoing safety competition.
Kelee Ringo not playing too much makes me believe he’s on the team.
Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa got the start before quickly calling it a night.
I bet you didn’t realize the Eagles had a player named Jaylen Mahoney on their roster. No relation to Dick Mahoney , as far as I know.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Elliott made his only two field goal attempts of the preseason, one from 45 and another from 56.
DID NOT PLAY
Eli Stowers, Markel Bell, Grant Calcaterra, Jakorian Bennett, and Cole Wisniewski did not participate in the Eagles’ most recent practice, so, they were likely not healthy enough to play.
Jonathan Jones was limited in the Eagles’ most recent practice but he’s also a veteran so he might not have played even if he was healthy.
Willie Lampkin suffered a stinger in the Eagles’ last preseason game before returning to practice this week. It did seem like he may have tweaked something on Wednesday, so, maybe the Eagles were being extra cautious by not playing him here.
Darius Cooper being rested is a good sign for his standing on the team. Ditto for Drew Kendall, Will Shipley, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
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