The NFL’s cut-down day is behind us, and for players on the roster bubble, no news is often good news.
At first glance, the initial 53-man roster of the Philadelphia Eagles includes some surprises. The team has bulked up at defensive tackle (6) and defensive back (11), while staying light at edge rusher (2) and offensive line (9).
A young, emerging defensive player has worked hard to make the team.
Thomas Booker IV, a former fifth-round pick by the Houston Texans, joined the Eagles’ training camp as a relatively unknown player after spending the entire last season on the practice squad. He enters the 2024 regular season on the active roster.
Here’s what the 24-year-old had to say after surviving cut-down day:
Thankful is an understatement. Let’s get it! #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/I5MOpSexw1
— Thomas Booker (@TheThomasBooker) August 27, 2024
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman answered questions from the local media on Tuesday evening and clarified about Booker’s offseason.
“He lived in that facility,” Roseman said. “Tremendous work ethic. Obviously, an extremely smart guy, a Stanford guy. He has all the tools in the body. Just an incredible tribute to him and the way he worked hard.”
Roseman and the Eagles moved away from stockpiling undrafted free agents before training camp, instead signing 20 players to futures contracts. Booker signed one of those deals. He made an impression last year primarily working on the scout team, but he earned his spot on the roster this year after a standout preseason. He had eight pressures and one sack in 70 preseason snaps, with a pressure rate of 11.4%.
“When you watch his tape, the way he gets off the ball, his ability to play with power, to impact the quarterback, to create havoc around the line of scrimmage, for us, it was clear that he deserved to be on the team,” Roseman said.
And in this case, no news truly turned out to be good news for Booker.
Roseman joked, “Maybe I should have told him this before I told you guys.”
