Eagles release Dalton and promote Majors, Steele before London game

The Eagles released Andy Dalton on Friday and signed center Jake Majors and running back Carson Steele to the active roster, reshaping their depth before Sunday's game against Jacksonville in London.

Dalton's departure leaves Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton behind Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia had carried four quarterbacks through the first four weeks, but injuries elsewhere on the roster increased the need for available spots. The team also placed defensive tackle Uar Bernard on the practice squad injured list.

The move follows a change in the quarterback order. Dalton won the backup job after competing with McKee during training camp and preseason. McKee moved ahead of him last week, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC Sports Philadelphia, leaving Dalton as the third quarterback before his release.

Philadelphia acquired Dalton from Carolina in the offseason for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft. The 38-year-old, a three-time Pro Bowl selection in his 16th NFL season, brought extensive starting experience to a room that also included two younger reserves.

His regular-season contribution was brief. Dalton played four snaps against Chicago in Week 3 while Hurts was evaluated for a concussion, the Inquirer reported. His only pass as an Eagle was intercepted in the end zone during Philadelphia's 27-7 loss. That sequence cost the offense a scoring opportunity, though the team has not attributed Friday's release solely to that play.

Majors gives Philadelphia another option at center after Cam Jurgens was traded to Baltimore and Drew Kendall was injured. The former Texas center initially signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He joined Philadelphia's practice squad that September and appeared in all three of the Eagles' preseason games this year.

Steele's promotion adds another running back during an injury-driven reshuffle. Philadelphia also signed Dameon Pierce to the active roster this week. Saquon Barkley has been ruled out against Jacksonville, while Tank Bigsby was placed on injured reserve. Those absences create immediate work for the remaining backs without establishing how Sunday's carries will be divided.

The Eagles' announcement credited Steele with two receiving touchdowns during the preseason and team-leading receiving yardage in two of those games. The third-year back originally entered the league with Kansas City in 2024 after playing at UCLA.

A return by Dalton remains a possibility, not a completed transaction. NBC Sports Philadelphia and the Inquirer reported that he could come back on the practice squad. As of the confirmed Friday roster moves, Philadelphia's active quarterback group is Hurts, McKee and Payton, with the newly available roster space helping address needs at center and running back.