Eagles Announce Practice Squad, Get Roster Exemption for Uar Bernard

Big news for Uar Bernard fans: he’ll still be wearing an Eagles uniform this year.

Bernard was secured to the Eagles’ practice squad after clearing waivers, and was one of 13 official signings, along with fellow International Player Pathway participant Joshua Weru. While the Eagles haven’t announced the IPP exemption slot, given Bernard’s relative inexperience, it will likely go to him.

Speaking to reporters after the practice squad was announced, Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman pushed back on the idea that the team celebrates the likelihood of a player clearing waivers.

“I don’t know that there’s a comfort level in exposing anyone,” Roseman observed. “We’re not sitting there and cutting anyone and going, ‘Woohoo, this guy, we’re definitely getting back.’ You don’t know what other teams are thinking.”

That was certainly true for four players the Eagles exposed to waivers. Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Kapena Gushiken, and Cameron Latu all were claimed off of the waiver wire by different teams, so they will not be wearing an Eagles uniform this season. Another player who was a risk was Britain Covey, who is widely considered to be one of the best punt returners in the league. Covey cleared waivers and the Eagles nabbed him for the practice squad, and could elevate him for the first three games of the season before they spend a roster spot on him.

The biggest offensive question mark is the offensive line with the new coach and the need for a bounce back year. Roseman routinely builds from the trenches, and he was excited for the depth at that position this year.

“If any of you would’ve given me a truth serum and said, ‘What are you looking for in training camp?’ it would be how our interior offensive line depth panned out and the way that Drew, Willie, and then obviously [G] Micah [Morris], keeping Micah,” Roseman remarked. “Those young guys and the growth that they showed, their ability to play in the passing game, in the run game.”

Though the roster is close to final for week one, it’s not close to finished, and Roseman will continue to peruse other avenues to improve the team.

“The first four games of the season have always kind of been kind of another ramp up period for your football team,” Roseman reminded reporters. “You get an opportunity to evaluate. The trade deadline’s a long way away. We have the resources to continue improving the team. We’ll continue to do that over the next couple of days as well. Competition is huge. The 70 guys that are going to be on our team here in the next 24 hours, we like, we’re excited about, but at the same token, we’re not handing out any scholarships.”