The Eagles have received some good news, which allowed them to add some depth at another position.
After signing long snapper Christian Johnstone due to an injury to first-year Eagle Charley Hughlett, the Eagles have signed 2024 Cowboys draft pick Justin Rogers to take Johnstone's place on the roster with his release.
We've signed DT Justin Rogers and released LS Christian Johnstone. pic.twitter.com/IEePJGYoKE
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 12, 2025
The Eagles are currently dealing with an injury at the interior defensive line, with third-year player Byron Young sidelined with a groin injury that could keep him out for the foreseeable future and possibly put his spot in question, after spending all of 2024 on the team's practice squad. Gabe Hall is also not practicing after leaving Sunday's open practice early.
Who the Eagles are getting in Rogers
Rogers comes to the Eagles after initially being drafted by the Cowboys by way of Kentucky in the 2024 NFL Draft in the seventh round. Only in his second NFL season, Rogers has already bounced around the NFL, with the Eagles being the fourth team he has spent time with in just over 16 months as a professional football player.
The Cowboys released Rogers at the conclusion of the 2024 preseason and would end up spending time on the Bengals' practice squad, only to be claimed by the Cowboys late in the 2024 season once injuries mounted in Dallas. While on the active Roster, Rogers would not see any playing time in the back half of the 2024 regular season and would eventually be released by the Cowboys in June. Rogers would find a way back on an NFL roster with the Seahawks in July, only to be released eight days later.
The Eagles have been highly active trying to remain healthy on the defensive line during training camp, especially after trading their rotational rusher Thomas Booker for CB Jakorian Bennett. The team has brought in multiple defensive linemen for workouts, in addition to signing UFL alum Jacob Sykes, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, and DT Joe Evans.
While the ultimate goal for Philadelphia is to get through training camp healthy, the defensive line will be a position group this year that receives plenty of attention, as the team has lost about 50% of its sacks to free agency or retirement. While Howie Roseman has attempted to rebuild the position through the draft with players like Ty Robinson and Antwaun Powell-Ryland, NFL teams are always on the lookout for a "diamond in the rough" through free agency, as seen with Sykes and Rogers moving forward.
