After relying on Arryn Siposs as their punter for the first two games of the season, the Eagles have made a change at the position. The 30-year-old has been released from the practice squad with Braden Mann being signed as his replacement, the team announced on Monday.
Philadelphia – which relied on Siposs in the 2021 and ’22 campaigns – elevated him from the practice squad ahead of each of their contests this season. The Australian’s gross punting average this year (43.4 yards) is a step back from his performance in his previous campaigns, however. He could also be elevated from the taxi squad to the gameday roster only once more this season, so a decision needed to be made in short order.
The Eagles have elected to turn to Mann, who spent his first three seasons with the Jets. The 25-year-old saw his gross and net punt average increase in each of his campaigns in New York, but the team added Thomas Morstead in March, leaving Mann in search of a new home. He spent training camp with the Steelers, but lost out on their punting competition to incumbent Pressley Harvin.
Head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that the team felt a change was needed at the punter spot. They will now have as many as three weeks available with Mann in place if they intend to make him a gameday elevation ahead of each contest in the near future. If he performs well enough, the former sixth-rounder could be signed to the active roster and secure a role for the remainder of the season. The Eagles are next in action on Monday against the Buccaneers.
In another update, Sirianni added (via PHLY’s Zack Berman) that the Eagles are content with their internal options at slot corner. With Avonte Maddox potentially out for the season with a torn pec, the team will need to rely on a group including undrafted rookie Mario Goodrich on the inside; perimeter corner James Bradberry could also see time in the slot. In any event, Philadelphia’s secondary will maintain continuity for at least the time being while its special teams unit sees a shakeup.
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