Greg

Ward

It’s possible Sermon returns to the Eagles by way of the practice squad after the team waived him with an injury designation. Sermon rushed 30 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns this season but also lost a key fumble in the second preseason game against the Browns. In addition to Sermon, the Browns also released/waived WR Devon Allen, LB Quinton Bell, QB Ian Book, RB Kennedy Brooks, DT Robert Cooper, WR Britain Covey, CB Mekhi Garner, OG Julian Good-Jones, WR Jadon Haselwood, DE Tarron Jackson, TE Tyree Jackson, LB Kyron Johnson, WR Johnny King, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, S Tristin McCollum, LB Nicholas Morrow, WR Joseph Ngata, DE Janarius Robinson, OG Tyrese Robinson, TE Brady Russell, DT Olive Sagapolu, DT Caleb Sanders, CB Josiah Scott, OG Josh Sills, P Arryn Siposs, WR Freddie Swain, LB B en VanSumeren, S K’Von Wallace, WR Greg Ward, and DT Marvin Wilson.

Ward is expected to serve as insurance on special teams for punt returner Britain Covey in addition to wide receiver depth. His fantasy utility is speculative, at best, for the big game.

Sirianni added that Reagor has played well with the second team and is battling for the WR4 spot. Also in contention for that gig are Zach Pascal and Greg Ward, though the latter only plays in the slot. Reagor has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. Given his lack of production since the Eagles selected him with the 21st overall pick, it’s likely that they haven’t received any notable offers. Reagor has caught 64 passes for 695 yards in 28 career games.

DB Andre Chachere, who was an exclusive rights free agent, also signed a one-year deal on Tuesday. Ward was a restricted free agent, but it sounds like he took a one-year deal for less than the low tender. Ward has had a few moments in the sun during his time with the Eagles, but he was a deep reserve for most of last season. He will fight for a roster spot in training camp.

Ward wasn’t targeted before leaving. Ward has 10 touchdown catches on 88 career receptions. It’s a remarkable stat that means very little beyond memes. He hits restricted free agency this year, but will likely remain an Eagles depth piece in 2022.

It’s Ward’s first multi-target game since Week 4 -- and like the mythological Cris Carter of Bermanisms before him, all Ward does is catch touchdowns. This makes three on the season in just seven targets, and he had six on 79 targets in 2020. Someone should really harness this power for good. Unfortunately, with Ward a bit player who isn’t really on the fantasy radar, he just plays spoiler for the more oft-used backs and receivers here.

Fulgham opened training camp as a favorite to start in three-wide sets, but has since fallen behind Quez Watkins and Greg Ward. Watkins now appears to be locked into the Eagles No. 3 role, and Ward, who is considered a reliable slot option, looks to have moved ahead of Fulgham as well. Stunningly, JJ Arcega-Whiteside may make the roster instead of Fulgham, after the former second round pick turned in a strong training camp. Fulgham may yet make the final 53, but it’s clear that he is a true long shot for fantasy value in 2021.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports an MRI on Smith’s injured knee “revealed relatively good news” for the rookie wideout. The team thought the injury could have been “something worse,” per Fowler. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said there’s “no cause for concern” for Smith’s long-term outlook. The “week to week” designation probably means we won’t see Smith -- the tenth pick in the 2021 NFL Draft -- this preseason. He still has a good shot to suit up for the Eagles’ September 12 opener against Atlanta. Missing a big chunk of training camp isn’t the best development for Smith; Jalen Reagor could become Philadelphia’s default WR1 in his absence. Reagor, Travis Fulgham, and Greg Ward are the Eagles’ starting wideouts with Smith sidelined. We’ll surely see Smith’s redraft ADP plunge in the next couple weeks.

It’s not entirely clear how much Reagor will play from the slot this season; players often exaggerate their supposedly shifting roles. Reagor in his rookie season saw just 20.3 percent of his targets from the slot, a position occupied primarily by converted QB Greg Ward, who remains on the Eagles’ roster. Reagor caught seven of 11 slot targets for 33 yards in 2020. Reagor is likely to function as the team’s deep threat, with Ward, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert eating up intermediate targets from Jalen Hurts.

Zangaro said Ward is the favorite to start the season as the team’s lot receiver. Devonta Smith and Jalen Reagor would serve as outside receivers in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts-led offense. Ward, a converted quarterback who -- incredibly -- always ends up as the team’s top wideout for stretches of the season, would presumably be third or fourth in the offense’s target pecking order behind Smith, Reagor, and Dallas Goedert (assuming Zach Ertz is dealt in the coming months). Ward, 25, lead Philadelphia with 79 targets, 53 receptions, and six receiving scores in 2020. He’ll likely be waiver wire fodder in 2021 outside of the deepest fantasy formats.