The Philadelphia Eagles took an important step toward reinforcing their fully healthy playoff roster on Wednesday.
As CBS Sports noted, they have opened the 21-day practice window for pass rusher Azeez Ojulari as he works his way back from Injured Reserve.
The move gives Philadelphia flexibility ahead of its Wild Card matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
It also signals optimism that Ojulari could factor into the postseason after missing most of the year with a lingering hamstring injury.
Ojulari’s season has been chaotic from the beginning.
After being inactive for the first four games, he made his Eagles debut in Week 5 against Denver, only to see his momentum derailed two weeks later.
He left the Week 7 win over Minnesota with a hamstring injury and was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after.
This sidelined him for the final 10 games of the regular season.
Now, with the playoffs approaching, Philly has reopened the door for his return at a time when depth is crucial and every rotational snap matters.
Ojulari’s Career Path and Limited Eagles Tenure
Ojulari is a former second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2021.
He has built his reputation as a productive and disruptive edge rusher early in his career.
Over four seasons with New York, he totaled 22 sacks in 46 games, including an eight-sack rookie campaign that immediately put him on the radar as a long-term pass-rushing threat.
Injuries, however, became a recurring obstacle, limiting his availability and consistency year to year.
That pattern followed him to Philadelphia.
Signed to a one-year deal last offseason, Ojulari appeared in just three games for the Eagles before landing on IR.
In 67 defensive snaps, he recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback hit.
These are modest numbers, but ones that flashed his ability to impact plays when healthy.
His absence coincided with a reshuffling of the Eagles’ edge rotation, as Nolan Smith returned from injury, Brandon Graham came out of retirement, and the team added Jaelan Phillips to the mix.
Why Ojulari’s Return Could Matter in the Playoffs
While Ojulari is unlikely to step back into a featured role immediately, his potential return could give Philadelphia valuable pass-rush depth.
Opening Ojulari’s 21-day practice window does not guarantee he’ll be active against San Francisco, but it gives the Eagles flexibility at a critical moment.
The move allows Ojulari to return to practice without immediately taking up a roster spot.
It gives the team up to three weeks to evaluate his health and conditioning before deciding whether to activate him or shut him down for the season.
With the postseason underway, Philly can afford to be cautious, but the decision to open the window signals that Ojulari is trending in the right direction.
If the Eagles make a deep run in the postseason once again, Ojulari could be a huge late addition.
Ojulari’s quick first step and experience rushing from multiple alignments offers depth and flexibility, especially if the game turns into a battle of attrition.
Having another proven rusher available, even in limited capacity, can swing momentum in high-leverage moments.
This roster move gives Philadelphia options at the most important time of the year and is a story to keep an eye on.
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