Eagles sign veteran fullback to their practice squad originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Party like it’s 1999! The Eagles turned back the clock on Tuesday.
They have signed a full-back.
The Eagles added veteran fullback Khari Blasingame to the practice squad on Tuesday afternoon. They also released receiver John Ross from the practice squad injured list.
Blasingame, 28, has played in 66 career games with 21 starts for the Titans and Bears but has been out of work since Oct. 25, when he was released by Chicago.
The Eagles added the element of a fullback to their offense this season by giving linebacker Ben VanSumeren some snaps. VanSumeren had 22 offensive plays this season as a lead blocker, but was lost for the year when he suffered a knee injury during practice on Friday.
During Sunday’s game, Grant Calcaterra was able to step into that lead blocker role very briefly, but now he can focus on being a tight end. And with Dallas Goedert’s knee injury, Calcaterra may have to be TE1 again for a few weeks.
But the Eagles must have liked the dynamism the lead blocker package brought to the attack, as they now explore it further with an experienced fullback.
The last time the Eagles had a fullback player on their roster was during the 2016 offseason, when they brought in former Kansas State defensive end Ryan Mueller. But Doug Pederson quickly decided he wouldn’t use a fullback in his offense and Mueller was released before training camp. They haven’t had an official full-back since.
The fullback is an endangered species in the NFL, but the Eagles have turned into a dangerous and versatile running attack this season. Between head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and OL coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland, the Eagles have boasted one of the more varied run games in the NFL. This is just one of the many elements that make them so dangerous. (It also doesn’t hurt to have a great offensive line and Saquon Barkley.)
Blasingame began his NFL career with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt in 2019. He joined the Titans in November and eventually played in 32 games over three years with Tennessee. Blasingame then played in 34 games with the Chicago Bears from 2022 through October.
For his career, Blasingame has 11 rushing attempts for 32 yards and 13 receptions for 99 yards. But he’s not in Philadelphia to touch the football; he’s here to block. And if he is taken off the practice squad at some point, that will be his role.
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