The Philadelphia Eagles signed former first-round offensive lineman Evan Neal to their practice squad Thursday.
The team also added running back Jaydon Blue and linebacker Anfernee Orji to the practice squad while waiving tight end E.J. Jenkins.
“We have signed RB Jaydon Blue, G Evan Neal, and LB Anfernee Orji to the practice squad,” the Eagles said in a statement. “We have also waived TE E.J. Jenkins.”
Neal, 26, was selected seventh overall by the New York Giants in the 2022 NFL Draft after playing at Alabama. He has played in 29 games and started 27 of them in his career, mostly at right tackle before the Giants later moved him toward guard.
Injuries slowed him after a promising start. Neal started 13 games as a rookie but missed time with a grade 2 MCL sprain. He appeared in seven games in 2023 and nine in 2024.
He did not play in any regular-season games in 2025. He spent stretches on the inactive list and then went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
The Giants declined his fifth-year option and released him on Aug. 30, 2026, as they cut down to the 53-man roster.
Neal signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad on Sept. 3 before that team released him on Oct. 19. Listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 340 pounds, he offers size that teams often seek on the interior or edge of the offensive line.
Across his career he has drawn 17 accepted penalties for 89 yards, per league tracking data.
At Alabama he helped the Crimson Tide win the 2020 College Football Playoff national championship and earned consensus All-American recognition in 2021. He started at left guard as a freshman before switching to right tackle.
The Eagles hosted Neal for a workout earlier in the week before completing the practice-squad signing.
Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster on a limited basis, giving Neal a chance to practice and potentially see game action if injuries create openings.
Philadelphia has dealt with several absences on the offensive line this season, including guard Landon Dickerson’s time on injured reserve with a knee issue.
The move returns Neal to the NFC East after his four seasons with the Giants. He signed a one-year veteran-minimum deal with New York in March before the August release.
Team officials have not detailed a specific role for Neal beyond the practice-squad addition. The signing was confirmed through the Eagles’ official announcement and subsequent reporting.
