f.Eagles Bring Back Super Bowler Just 12 Hours After Cutting Him Ahead of Week 5 Clash vs. Broncos.f
The Philadelphia Eagles executed one of the fastest roster reversals of the season, opting to bring back a young cornerback only 12 hours after cutting him, as the team readies itself for its Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
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Earlier in the day, the Eagles had announced the release in what appeared to be a standard roster adjustment. With rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean alongside established names like Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo, the player had found himself buried in a competitive secondary that left little room for error. For a brief moment, it looked like his time in Philadelphia was over.
It wasn’t until later that evening that the team revealed the reversal centered on Eli Ricks, a second-year defensive back who had been with the Eagles since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2023. According to team sources, the decision to re-sign him was driven by lingering injury concerns within the secondary and the staff’s desire to preserve flexibility ahead of the trip to Denver.
The move underscored how quickly roster calculations can shift during the NFL season, especially when depth is tested by health scares. Coaches pointed to Ricks’ familiarity with the system and his versatility as key reasons for the rapid about-face.
Since arriving in Philadelphia, Ricks has carved out a steady role on defense and special teams. He appeared in 16 games as a rookie, collecting 22 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception. His ability to line up both outside and in the slot made him a useful depth piece, while his work on special teams — including multiple tackles in key situations — showed he could be trusted in high-leverage moments.
While Ricks may still face long odds to claim a permanent starting job, his reinstatement ensures stability and experience in one of the league’s deepest secondaries.
As the Eagles turn their focus to Week 5 against the Broncos, Ricks suddenly has another chance to prove himself — and in Philadelphia, where roster battles never truly end, even 12 hours can change a career.
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