Nick Sirianni was an assistant coach with the Chargers in 2017 when Austin Ekeler made the team after a standout performance in the last preseason game.
Ekeler is now in his eighth NFL season and his first with Washington.
Sirianni, who is starting his fourth season as the Eagles’ head coach, used clips of Ekeler to inspire players before Philadelphia’s preseason finale last year. He plans to use a similar approach before the Eagles play Minnesota on Saturday.
“Yeah, we’ll probably do something similar to that,” Sirianni said Wednesday. “But as far as the guys here, we had a good number of undrafted free agents make it the last couple years.”
Sirianni mentioned Eagles punt returner Britain Covey, cornerback Josh Jobe, and linebacker Ben VanSumeren.
The final preseason game is a chance for players who are uncertain about their roster spots to show coaches what they can do before the Tuesday cut deadline. Late-round draft picks and undrafted rookies usually get the most playing time.
Ekeler was an undrafted running back trying to make the Chargers when he impressed the coaching staff by gaining 108 yards from rushing and receiving. He eventually earned a starting role and scored 38 touchdowns in 2021-22. The Commanders signed him to a two-year, $11.4 million contract in free agency.
As young players compete for spots this weekend, some veterans are also at risk of being cut.
