Eagles DE Betting on Himself Amid Roster Chase

The Philadelphia Eagles thought enough of Janarius Robinson to sign him off the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings last September. The defensive end never made it into a game, spending the season on the Eagles’ roster with two stints on injured reserve.

It will be interesting to see what they think of the former fourth-round pick out of Florida State when they begin making cuts this weekend. Teams have to be down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Aug. 29.

Robinson has one joint practice and one preseason game left to impress. Even if he puts up multiple sacks, it may not be enough to make the final roster for the 25-year-old because the Eagles have a king’s ransom along the defensive line.

“I have the opportunity, so as long as I take care of duties and what I set out to do then everything else will take care of itself,” said Robinson in the locker room following an 18-18 tie to the Cleveland Browns in the second preseason game. I Iike my chances. I’m going bet on myself every day.”

Robinson played the second-highest number of defensive snaps against the Browns, logging 69 (79 percent) while also getting 11 special teams reps (38 percent). Only Tarron Jackson, who is also on the roster bubble with Robinson, played more defensive snaps with 72 (83 percent). Jackson also had 17 special team reps (59 percent).

Both players put up similar numbers in their time on the field, with Robinson logging three tackles and two quarterback hits to go along with one special team tackle. Jackson had three tackles, one for loss, two quarterback hits, and one special team tackle.

“I think I played a decent game,” said Robinson. “There’s definitely some great film and some great reps I can build off of, get back in the lab, and work off of. I’m just trying to take one step greater every day and build off each game and each practice.”

Do the math, though, and the Eagles have 12 legitimate defensive linemen/edge rushers that could make the roster: Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Nolan Smith, Patrick Johnson, Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, and Moro Ojomo.

That doesn’t seem to leave much room for Robinson, Jackson, or Kentavius Street, so they could be auditioning for one of the other 31 teams in the league.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity the Eagles gave me last year and I want to seize the moment and make the best out of it,” said Robinson. “I want to work on my whole game. 

"I did some good reps (against the Browns), but need to work on my disengages and escapes off rushes so I can get to the quarterback (and) in the run game, just being physical and being who I am and being who I know I can be. If I do that, everything else will take care of itself."

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.