The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free agent quarterback Ian Book to their practice squad, according to a report from NFL insider Mike Garafolo. The news has since been confirmed by an official team announcement.
The Eagles had an opening after releasing practice squad tight end Kevin Foelsch earlier this week.
The Eagles signing Book points to the team having significant concerns about QB availability in their game against the Dallas Cowboys this week.
Jalen Hurts is still in the concussion protocol; he was listed under “did not participate” on Wednesday’s estimated injury report. Kenny Pickett, meanwhile, was listed under “limited participation” due to the ribs injury he suffered in Week 16. Tanner McKee is only the Eagles quarterback on the active roster not listed on the injury report.
If Hurts and Pickett both can’t suit up, the Eagles will have McKee start and temporarily elevate Book from the practice squad to be the backup. If Hurts is out but Pickett is in, the Eagles could still look to temporarily elevate Book … to have him available as an emergency third quarterback. In that scenario, Book would only be able to play if both Pickett and McKee are out for the game. [UPDATE: The Eagles cannot have Book serve as the emergency third quarterback if he’s only temporarily elevated from the practice squad. NFL owners originally passed this proposal for 2024 but it was later vetoed by the NFLPA. To have Book available to play, the Eagles must 1) either sign him to their roster or 2) temporarily elevate him from the practice squad and have him active for the game (so, not included in the inactives as emergency QB3). Sorry for the confusion]
Book previously spent time with the Eagles from August 2022 through August 2023. He then spent stints with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs after leaving Philly.
The 26-year-old quarterback has logged one career start, which came as a rookie in 2021. He completed 12 of his 20 attempts for 135 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 40.6 passer rating.
The Eagles will be hoping to not have to use Book but they’d rather have him than literally no quarterback at all.
UPDATE: The Eagles also released practice squad DB Tariq Castro-Fields and signed RB Lew Nichols to the practice squad.
Nichols, also making a return to Philly, is a candidate to be temporarily elevated as a third running back this weekend with Will Shipley currently in the concussion protocol.
Each player below is eligible to be temporarily elevated to the active roster up to three times in the regular season unless otherwise noted.
QB Ian Book
RB Lew Nichols
WR Parris Campbell (zero elevations remaining)
FB Khari Blasingame (zero elevations remaining)
S Andre’ Sam (two elevations remaining)
OLB Ochaun Mathis (two elevations remaining)
DE KJ Henry
WR Kyle Philips
DE Tarron Jackson
LB Dallas Gant
CB Parry Nickerson
WR Danny Gray
DB A.J. Woods
RB Tyrion Davis-Price
DT Gabe Hall
T/G Brett Toth
OT Laekin Vakalahi (international exemption)
