Former Giants lineman signed to Eagles practice squad and will be activated on opening night; Jack Stoll also returns

The next step in Nick Gates’ NFL journey will see him sign to the Eagles’ practice squad and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefterthe active list for the opening night in Brazil.

The former Giants offensive lineman was one of 14 players the Eagles announced as part of their 17-man practice squad for the start of the 2024 season. The list included tight end Jack Stoll, who spent his first three seasons in Philadelphia before signing with the Giants in the offseason. The Giants released him earlier this week.

Here is the list of 14 players the Eagles have signed to the practice squad so far:

* Gates, offensive lineman

* Stoll, tight end

* Oren Burks, linebacker

* Parris Campbell, receiver

* Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, receiver

* Gabe Hall, defensive tackle

* Tyron Davis-Price, running back

* Will Grier, quarterback

* EJ Jenkins, tight end

* Dylan McMahon, center

* Caden Sterns, security

* André’ Sam, security

* Brandon Smith, linebacker

* Laekin Vakalahi (international exemption), offensive lineman

Gates started 10 games at center last season for the Washington Commanders but was released in March and signed with the Eagles at the start of training camp.

“I definitely hope to stay (with the Eagles),” Gates told NJ Advance Media after the team’s second preseason game against the New England Patriots.

He also said he already feels like he’s learned a lot from Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

The sixth-year veteran wasn’t on the initial 53-man roster, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made it clear after Tuesday’s cuts that he didn’t consider the roster complete until he assembled the practice squad.

Practice squad players can be promoted to the active roster three times during the season before they must be signed to the active roster.

Gates, 28, was able to sign with any team after being released, but the Eagles present a good fit for him for several reasons.

The Eagles focused on defense when building their initial roster (28 defensive players to 22 offensive players) and kept just nine offensive linemen. That means they’ll likely need some practice squad depth on that line, and Gates has the versatility to play both guard and center.

He was primarily at left guard during training camp and the preseason, but also played right guard, where former Jets tackle Mekhi Becton won a position battle with 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to be the Opening Day starter.

Gates could find himself in that situation if either player gets hurt or doesn’t play well. Steen, of course, has been dealing with an ankle injury throughout training camp and the preseason.

Perhaps the best part about Gates’ 2024 situation is this: According to overthecap.com, the Commanders will pay the veteran lineman nearly $2 million this season to not play for them. Gates, after four seasons with the Giants, signed a three-year deal with the Commanders ahead of the 2023 season. The deal included $8 million in guaranteed money.

Gates has made 39 career starts, including 29 in his four seasons with the Giants. He was New York’s starting center for all 16 games in 2020 and the first two games of 2021 before suffering a gruesome knee injury in a game at Washington. The injury led to seven surgeries, but Gates fought his way back and was back in the starting lineup at left guard for the Giants midway through the 2022 season.

Thank you for trusting us to provide you with trustworthy journalism. Please consider supporting us by subscribing.

You can contact Bob Brookover at [email protected]