The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of depth at tight end. But they added a very intriguing option in third-year player Armani Rogers on August 7.
The Eagles announced they claimed Rogers off waivers from the Washington Commanders. In a corresponding move, the team also waived wide receiver Shaq Davis.
We've waived WR Shaq Davis and have claimed TE Armani Rogers. pic.twitter.com/sxAmH25UCu
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 7, 2024
Rogers began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent for the Commanders in 2022. He missed all of last season because of a torn Achilles tendon.
In college, Rogers played quarterback at UNLV and Ohio, running a wildcat offense for both schools. He amassed more than 2,217 yards from scrimmage and 2,863 passing yards in five college seasons.
TE Armani Rogers Ended Up on IR in His 1st 2 Seasons
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Rogers ran an effective wildcat offense in college. Over his first three college seasons at UNLV, he averaged 5.4 yards per rush while scoring 18 touchdowns. Rogers also threw for 2,465 passing yards, including 1,471 as a freshman.
Rogers ended his college career playing for Ohio in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, he had 350 passing yards and 552 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns.
He converted to tight end to continue playing football at the NFL level with the Commanders. As a rookie with Washington, he appeared in 11 contests, mostly playing on special teams. But he also had 5 receptions for 64 yards and 26 rushing yards on 2 carries.
Rogers has ended each of his first two NFL seasons on injured reserve. The Commanders placed him on IR in November 2022. He suffered his season-ending Achilles injury during training camp in July last year.
Rogers began his transition to tight end during the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl. After his performance in the game, Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline described Rogers’ upside as “incredibly intriguing.”
It’s been two years, and Rogers has suffered two season-ending injuries since that scouting report. However, for the price of a waiver wire claim, the Eagles were willing to roll the dice on him.
Eagles TE Depth Heading Into 2024 Preseason
There will be no shortage of competition for Rogers in Philadelphia. With the addition of Rogers, the Eagles have seven tight ends officially on their roster.
Veteran Dallas Goedert returns as the team’s starting tight end. Goedert placed 2024 big expectations on himself while speaking to reporters in June.
“I still feel like the best years are ahead of me,” said Goedert.
Goedert, who will turn 30 before the end of the 2024 regular season, will be in a contract year with the Eagles this fall.
Behind Goedert on the depth chart is Grant Calcaterra, C.J. Uzomah and Albert Okwuegbunam.
Calcaterra is entering his third season in Philadelphia since he was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He dressed for 15 games in 2022 and 2023 but didn’t play on offense or special teams very much.
He’s recorded 9 receptions for 120 yards in his first two seasons combined.
Uzomah and Okwuegbunam are each veterans who began their careers elsewhere. Uzomah will be in his first season with the Eagles while Okwuegbunam is entering his second year in Philadelphia.
But last year, Okwuegbunam didn’t record a reception for the Eagles.
Philadelphia also has E.J. Jenkins and rookie Kevin Foelsch on the roster at tight end. Just like Rogers, the Eagles claimed Foelsch on the waiver wire on August 3.
