A series of roster transactions was announced by the Philadelphia Eagles, who released guard Jaden Roberts and tight end Dae’Quan Wright to clear space for defensive tackle David Blay, running back Ja’Quinden Jackson, and edge defender Tarron Jackson, following their recent tryouts with the franchise. Below is an overview of the incoming players vying for a place on the final depth chart.
David Blay
Following the draft, the New England Patriots initially acquired Blay, but the emerging defensive lineman was let go earlier in the week before being claimed by Philadelphia.
Utilizing the flexibility of contemporary collegiate athletics, Blay relocated twice during his college career, starting in Division II with West Chester prior to his move to Louisiana Tech. He experienced a career-defining campaign during his sophomore year with the Bulldogs, racking up 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
His final transfer took him to Miami, where he earned a national championship ring. During his single year with the Hurricanes, his statistical output decreased, which was probably a result of stiffer competition and playing within a highly rotated defensive front. This performance drop leaves some uncertainty regarding how his skills will translate when facing professional offensive lines.
Ja’Quinden Jackson
With Elijah Mitchell sidelined on injured reserve, Jackson steps in as the latest reinforcement for the Eagles’ backfield. After failing to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jackson spent his rookie campaign as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad.
Beginning his collegiate journey under center as a quarterback, Jackson converted to running back before his sophomore season. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 233 pounds, he brings a level of power and size that the current Eagles backfield otherwise lacks. The 24-year-old proved highly efficient at finding the end zone during his senior year at Arkansas, scoring 15 times on a mere 149 rushing attempts.
As a pass-catcher, Jackson’s track record is minimal, having registered only 23 receptions for 200 yards throughout his entire college career. Additionally, he lacks elite speed, recording a 4.75-second 40-yard dash during his Pro Day showcase at Arkansas.
While his imposing physical profile makes him an intriguing candidate for short-yardage conversions and goal-line plays, Jackson faces a challenging path to secure a spot on the Eagles’ final roster.
Tarron Jackson
Returning to familiar ground, Jackson is already acquainted with the Jefferson Health Training Complex, having been selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
During his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina, Jackson was a force on the edge, registering 18.5 sacks during his last two years. However, this success has yet to translate to the professional level, where he has logged only a single sack in his career—a mark set during his rookie season, which accounted for 82% of his total defensive snaps.
After landing on the injured reserve list with the San Francisco 49ers last year, Jackson receives a fresh opportunity in Philadelphia, aiming to get his career back on track with the franchise that first brought him into the league.
This article was initially released by Athlon Sports on August 10, 2026, making its debut in their NFL coverage. You can select Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
