The next game counts. The Eagles concluded their preseason on Friday night with a 30-13 loss to the Bengals. The next game at the Linc will be the season opener against the Commanders on Sunday, September 13. After this game, the Eagles have until 6 pm Sunday to reduce their roster to 53 players. Here’s the latest stock rise and fall from the preseason: Stock up RB Carson Steele: This guy is fun to watch. He didn’t hinder anyone on Friday night, but he has been one of the Eagles’ best offensive players this preseason. He is still a great receiving threat out of the backfield. He had 24 rushing yards and 52 receiving yards and a touchdown. QB Andy Dalton: Dalton didn’t really throw in the field, but he had a much better day than Tanner McKee. Completed 12 of 19 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown with a passer rating of 95.1 LB Smael Mondon Jr.: Mondon started and made a big play in the first quarter to pick up a screen pass and get a 6-yard tackle for a loss. Mondon is behind the starters and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., but apparently has the roster formed. RB Dameon Pierce: It’s a shame Pierce missed time in training camp with an injury because he runs so hard. At one point in the first quarter, he charged through some Bengals defenders for a 16-yard gain. He finished with 4 carries for 44 yards. OLB Keyshawn James-Newby: The seventh-round pick missed much of training camp with an ankle injury, but had a strong debut in the preseason. He chased senior Josh Johnson for a sack, had another pressure, was charged with a forced fumble that the Eagles recovered and received a holding penalty. DB Kapena Gushiken: UDFA, who earned the nickname “Gush” from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, had some strong moments in this game. He’s a heat-seeking missile on special teams and made big plays. He also got reps at safety and nickel corner in this game. He allowed a touchdown in the third quarter, but his special teams ability was on display. K Jake Elliott: Conditions on Friday night were good, but Elliott made field goals of 45 and 56 yards. Elliott has been just 5-of-15 for 50-plus yards the past two seasons, so it was nice to see him make a long one. LB Deontae Lawson: Alabama UDFA had another good game on defense and special teams with a forced fumble in the fourth quarter, although it didn’t count. In many other years, he would easily make the roster, but the Eagles have a great position at that position this year. S Andre’ Sam: Defensive back made some good plays in coverage early in this game and recovered fumbles on defense and special teams and forced a fumble on defense. Unfortunately, Sam suffered an injury late in the third quarter. WR Darius Cooper: This time last year, Cooper was fighting for his spot as a Tarleton State UDFA. So it must feel pretty good that you didn’t even need to play in this game. That seems to be a sign that he has this team together. Cooper had a really strong training camp. OL Willie Lampkin: Lampkin has been dealing with a stinger, so perhaps his absence in this game was injury related. But it is also possible that Lampkin has already secured his place in the squad after a fantastic summer. Stock depleted WR Makai Lemon: The good news is that Lemon was able to play in his first NFL preseason game. The bad news is that he wasn’t very productive (he had 3 receptions on 5 targets for 3 yards) and dropped a pass that led to an interception in the second quarter. It wasn’t a perfect pass from Tanner McKee, but it’s one Lemon needs to catch. Lemon also missed an ugly bounced punt in the second half, but maintained possession. Lemon struggled to separate himself in this game, but that’s not exactly the strongest part of his game. When he’s out there with the starting offense, he’ll probably be able to find weak spots on the defense. QB Tanner McKee: For a guy fighting to be this team’s backup quarterback, it just wasn’t a very good performance for McKee. Sure, the interception wasn’t all his fault, but he struggled to accomplish much in the first half. He completed just 12 of 22 passes for 55 yards and one interception for a passer rating of 41.1. CB Mac McWilliams: The second-year cornerback gave up too many passes in this game after an uneven training camp. On one completion, he allowed the receiver to get a first down before the tackle. He is firmly in the bubble. OT Cameron Williams: The 2025 sixth-round pick gave up a couple of quick pressures in this game working at right tackle. TE EJ Jenkins: The Eagles offense really struggled to get going early and Jenkins took a bad fall in the first quarter. Tanner McKee hit Jenkins in the hands, but he turned toward the field before securing the catch. CB Ambry Thomas: It’s been a tough offseason for the 49ers’ former third-round pick. He again allowed a couple of long passes in this game and was called for a DPI on fourth down to give the Bengals a first down. WR Elijah Moore: While Darius Cooper had the night off, Moore had to play. That’s a sign that your place is not secured. Moore is a veteran and had a good training camp, but sometimes that’s not enough to make the 53-man roster.
