Eagles fill two open roster spots with veteran additions ahead of final preseason game

The Philadelphia Eagles moved to shore up their depth entering the final stretch of the preseason, signing two players with NFL experience: defensive back Jaylen Mahoney and running back Jordan Mims. The transactions come after the team created two open roster spots earlier Monday, when it released safety J.T. Gray and waived running back Ja’Quinden Jackson with an injury designation.

From the Eagles’ perspective, the timing matters. The final preseason game is typically the last clear audition for players on the edge of the roster, especially those competing for special teams reps and reserve roles behind the starters. By adding Mahoney and Mims, Philadelphia ensured it would have enough bodies available for practice and game-day work tied to those late evaluations.

The team’s announcement also frames the moves as straightforward roster math: the Eagles filled the two open spots that opened earlier in the day. That implies Philadelphia was already operating with a defined personnel plan and simply moved quickly to replace two positions in line with its preseason needs.

Mahoney, a defensive back signing, lands in a room where teams often use the preseason to sort out coverage roles and depth for nickel, dime, and special teams packages. Even without a declared competitive assignment in the release, a veteran addition can provide stability for a group that is still determining which players will carry the most leverage into final roster decisions.

Mims provides similar value on offense, giving the Eagles another look at running back depth and pass-protection and receiving work. Running backs in the final preseason phase frequently face a narrow window to demonstrate durability, ball security, and utility in a team’s run-pass balance. Adding a player with prior league experience is one way to reduce uncertainty as the Eagles close out the preseason calendar.

The Eagles’ decision also reflects the reality that preseason rosters can change quickly due to injury designations and waiver outcomes. With Gray released and Jackson waived with an injury designation earlier Monday, Philadelphia’s remaining veterans and developing players were left needing immediate support to maintain enough numbers and practice reps before the final game.

What to watch next is how the Eagles use Mahoney and Mims in the closing preseason contest. Their involvement, along with the snaps and special teams assignments the coaching staff assigns, will likely be the clearest indicator of what roles Philadelphia believes they can fill as the team prepares to finalize its regular-season roster.

For fans, the key takeaway is that these signings are not presented as headline-making roster overhauls. They are targeted, late-preseason additions meant to keep Philadelphia’s evaluation process intact, maintain depth at two important positions, and give the coaching staff more options for the final round of roster decisions.