The Eagles are adding a former Vikings teammate

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles have been taking a quick look at their final draft picks lately with some pedigree at the end of the practice squad.

Two weeks ago, it was Siaki Ika, Cleveland’s 2023 third-round draft pick who played college ball at LSU before finishing at Baylor.

Ika was traded in favor of offensive lineman Braeden Daniels, a 2023 fourth-round pick of the Washington Commanders out of Utah, where Daniels was once a teammate of injured Eagles punt returner Britain Covey.

Jeff Stoutland watched Daniels for a week and was released to make room for rookie lineman Dallas Gant.

Gant signed with Minnesota via the UDFA this spring and worked for the PS Vikings until October 29, when he was fired.

Gant is a 6-foot-2, 224-pound LB who was a major recruit for Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan State. He spent the first four years of his college career in Columbus before returning home to Toledo, where he became an All-Mac player.

The Eagles didn’t have any off-ball LBs in practice heading into a week in which Ben VanSumeren will start in the concussion protocol.

VanSumeren participated in all three phases as arguably Philadelphia’s best special teams player, backup LB and linebacker.

If VanSumeren is unavailable this week, the Eagles will have four ILBs available on the 53-man roster. Players Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun are playing at a very high level, and they are supported by veteran Oren Burks and rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Gant, 24, adds some much-needed muscle to the workout.

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