These 22 Eagles vying for a 53-man roster spot have everything on the line vs. Colts

PHILADELPHIA − It's only fitting that on the eve of the Eagles' final preseason game that head coach Nick Sirianni would bring up the Reed Blankenship highlight tape he showed the team before the preseason finale last year.

Back then, Blankenship was an undrafted rookie last season from Middle Tennessee State, far from the Power Five limelight, who made a name for himself in those preseason games. Blankenship, a safety, not only made the 53-man roster, but he started five games toward the end of the season in place of the injured Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

Now, Blankenship is entrenched as one of the Eagles' starting safeties, and an inspiration to many of those fighting for one of the final roster spots heading into the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night. Teams have to cut their roster from 90 to 53 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 29.

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"I'm looking at Reed because we kind of said (to the players). ... 'What are you going to do tomorrow to take advantage of your opportunity and make this team?'" Sirianni said about his speech to roster hopefuls.

There definitely can be other Blankenships, whether it's undrafted free agents, veterans hoping for one last chance, and even late-round draft picks with jobs on the line.

Here, then, are a few dozen players who will be playing for a roster spot against the Colts:

Derek Barnett, Patrick Johnson and Kyron Johnson, edge rushers

Barnett has had a strong camp after coming off a torn ACL. But he has gotten involved in practice skirmishes in practice sessions with the Browns and Colts, and well, Sirianni might only have so much patience. Otherwise, Barnett, the Eagles' first-round pick in 2017, should have the edge on both Johnsons in a deep rotation that includes Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham and first-round pick Nolan Smith.

Trey Sermon and Boston Scott, running backs

The Eagles picked up Sermon after cutdown day last year and kept him on the roster the entire year. But in a crowded backfield, Rashaad Penny has already proved he's healthy, while D'Andre Swift and Kenny Gainwell are roster locks. That leaves Sermon and Scott vying for that fourth spot. Sermon showed his potential against the Browns last week with a 33-yard TD run. But that came after he lost a fumble. Scott has stuck around for five years, and he's determined to make it a sixth.

Eli Ricks and Mekhi Garner, cornerbacks

Ricks and Garner, both undrafted free agents, have had strong camps, which puts them in the running for a spot. The Eagles already released Greedy Williams and Zech McPhearson was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. Still, with Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Josh Jobe already guaranteed spots, it's possible that only one of the two will make it. Ricks had the Pick-6 against the Ravens, but he was also beaten for a long play against the Browns.

Nicholas Morrow and Ben VanSumeren, linebacker

VanSumeren's chances appeared slim after the Eagles signed veterans Zach Cunningham and Myles Jack earlier this month to go along with Nakobe Dean, Morrow, a free agent signee, and special teams star Shaun Bradley. But Bradley tore his Achilles against Baltimore and then Jack informed the Eagles on Sunday that he's retiring. VanSumeren can work his way into a spot, but it could come at the expense of Morrow.

Marlon Tuipulotu and Moro Ojomo, defensive tackles

We know Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams are roster locks. But the Eagles are both deep and talented at defensive tackle. Both Tuipulotu, the Eagles' sixth-round pick in 2021, and Ojomo, their seventh-rounder, have had strong camps. Tuipulotu is coming off a torn ACL that cost him the second half of the 2022 season, while Ojomo suffered a concussion and neck injury last week against the Browns, and likely won't play Thursday. Kentavius Street, a free agent signee, is also in the mix. The Eagles could put Ojomo on season-ending IR and thus free up one roster spot, thus giving Ojomo a redshirt year.

Greg Ward, Devon Allen, Britain Covey and Joseph Ngata, wide receivers

Tyrie Cleveland appeared to have the inside track for the final wide receiver spot until his concussion/neck injury led to him going on waivers with an injury designation (he's expected to go unclaimed and revert to Eagles' IR, ending his season). Still, the top four are set in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus.

Ward began on the Eagles practice squad in 2017 and has continually found a way to stay on the roster. Even this summer, he's been the Eagles leading receiver in the preseason games. Allen, the Olympic hurdler, missed the first few weeks with a calf injury, but lately has shown his speed. Covey was the punt returner last season, but has missed the last few weeks with a hamstring injury.

Ngata, an undrafted free agent, hasn't had a strong camp. But Cleveland's injury could open up a spot, while also giving someone like Johnny King an outside shot.

Dennis Kelly, Fred Johnson, Brett Toth, Josh Sills, offensive line

The Eagles starting five could be the best in the NFL. Behind them, there are question marks. Still, rookie Tyler Steen and veteran Jack Driscoll are virtual locks for backup roles. That leaves two or three spots up for grabs.

Kelly, who began his career with the Eagles in 2012, hasn't looked particularly sharp. Sills is working himself into game shape after being found not guilty on rape charges. Sills is also coming off a bad game against the Browns. Toth began camp as the second-team center (really, right guard Cam Jurgens is the backup center), but the Eagles had to move Toth after he struggled snapping the ball to Marcus Mariota.

Fred Johnson and Tyrese Robinson could find themselves in the mix, too.

Grant Calcaterra, Dan Arnold, Tyree Jackson, tight ends

It's possible the Eagles would keep only two tight ends. Dallas Goedert will be one of them, obviously. And Jack Stoll, an accomplished blocker, would likely be the other. If they go with three tight ends, that last spot will come down to Calcaterra, a sixth-round pick last season; Arnold, a veteran who played for the Jaguars last season; and Jackson, a converted quarterback. It could be telling that Calcaterra got several balls thrown his way Tuesday in the practice session against the Colts.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: These 22 Eagles are vying for 53-man roster spot in preseason vs Colts