Eagles release player who they thought would be an offensive weapon last season

The Eagles had a logjam at tight end, with five players suiting up at some point this season. To alleviate the congestion and with another player potentially returning this week, the Eagles made a move that led to releasing a player they had previously traded for.
The team announced Tuesday that they were releasing Albert Okwuegbunam. Before the 2023 season, the Eagles traded a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for Okwuegbunam and a 2025 seventh-round pick. Okwuegbunam played in four games for the Eagles, all last season, and was targeted only once, in the Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
When the Eagles acquired Okwuegbunam, general manager Howie Roseman talked about his physical ability and how he could fit in the locker room.
“For us, any time we have an opportunity to add an offensive player that we think can help us and help our team we look at that, so that’s the reason we brought him in,” Roseman said.
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Okwuegbunam re-signed with the team in February, hoping to make strides in the offseason. However, he began this season on injured reserve following core muscle surgery to repair an abdominal injury. After rehabbing and recovery, his 21-day practice window was opened Oct. 16, but the team opted not to activate him, meaning they had to either place him on the active roster or keep him on injured reserve, which would end his season. Given the Eagles’ frequent changes to their practice squad, it’s possible they may add him to the squad if no other team signs him to their active roster.
With Okwuegbunam’s release, the Eagles still have starter Dallas Goedert, who has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury; Grant Calcaterra, who has stepped in as a starter; and Jack Stoll, who was added to the roster Sept. 24. They’ve also used practice squad tight end E.J. Jenkins, who has been elevated three times this season. If Jenkins plays again, he must be added to the active roster.
Keeping four tight ends on the active roster isn’t typical, but the Eagles did it last season. However, with wide receiver Britain Covey and left tackle Jordan Mailata nearing a return from injured reserve, the Eagles needed to open at least one roster spot.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at [email protected].