Eagles Make 41-Year-Old McCown NFL’s Oldest Practice Squad Player

A change in the structure of NFL practice squads this season enabled the Eagles to sign 41-year-old Josh McCown to the unit on Sunday.

Teams are permitted to carry 16 players on the practice squad this season instead of 10. In addition, six of the players can be veterans with no limit to their experience.

As a result, McCown, who is entering his 18th NFL season, became the oldest practice squad player in league history, according to ESPN.com.

McCown may never set foot in Philadelphia this season, however. In another odd twist, he is scheduled to be paid $12,000 per week while remaining in his offseason home in East Texas during the season and attend meetings virtually. The Eagles have three quarterbacks on their active roster in starter Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld and rookie Jalen Hurts, who was their second-round draft pick. The only way McCown would be needed is if one of the three tested postive for Covid-19 - and would be forced to self-quarantine - or was injured during the season.

McCown is used to unusual situations. Last season, he signed with the Eagles in August after Sudfeld suffered a broken collarbone during the preseason. During the regular season, he flew to Charlotte, North Carolina on Fridays to help coach his son's high school team before returning to serve as Wentz's backup. The family moved to East Texas during this offseason.

His shining moment with the Eagles came in the playoffs last season. He was thrust into action against Seattle when Wentz was sidelined with a concussion in the first quarter and completed 18 of 24 passes for 174 yards in a 17-9 loss. McCown also rushed for 23 yards on five carries despite suffering a torn hamstring during the game.

In addition to McCown, the Eagles signed 15 other players to the practice squad Sunday, including running backs Elijah Holyfield, rookie free agents Adrian Killens and Michael Warren; wide receiver Deontay Burnett; defensive end Joe Ostman; and rookie tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, a sixth-round draft pick.
Cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Sidney Jones will be headed to other teams after getting waived Saturday. Douglas was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers Sunday while Jones is expected to join Jacksonville's practice squad, according to ESPN.com. Former Eagles defensive end Shareef Miller was also claimed off waivers by the Panthers.

In other Eagles news, the team surprisingly waived cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc Sunday. He was released to make room for running back Jason Huntley, who they claimed off waivers from Detroit. Look for him to be back on the team either on the active roster or practice squad. The Eagles have two openings on the 53-man roster after placing safety Will Parks and rookie wide receiver Quez Watkins on Injured Reserve. Both Parks and Watkins will be eligible to return after three games.

NOTES: On the local front, Chicago signed defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson (Absegami High School) to its practice squad and guard Jamil Demby (Vineland) rejoined the Los Angeles Rams' practice squad. Detroit opted not to re-sign running back Wes Hills (Wildwood) to its practice squad, making him a free agent. Tight end Colin Thompson (Cape May resident) is also a free agent after getting waived by Carolina. The Panthers still have three vacancies on their practice squad, which makes Thompson's return a possibility.