Howie Roseman explains Eagles’ plans for Uar Bernard, Joshua Weru

Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru, two international prospects, were not initially expected to become NFL players in a single training camp. However, the Philadelphia Eagles have provided them with additional time to assess their development potential. Both players cleared waivers and returned to Philadelphia's practice squad, securing spots for the young athletes.

Howie Roseman, the team's general manager, expressed confidence in their ability to be developed, praising their unusual combination of size, strength, and athletic ability.

Bernard, a seventh-round pick from Nigeria, had no organized football experience when he joined the Eagles. He was drafted due to his unique physical attributes, knowing that he would need considerable instruction to transition into a regular-season defensive tackle role. On the other hand, Weru arrived as an undrafted free agent after a successful professional rugby career. He demonstrated significant progress during the preseason, even recording a sack against the New England Patriots.

Neither player made it to the initial 53-man roster, leaving Philadelphia with five defensive tackles and five outside linebackers, creating challenging numbers for players still in the early stages of their football development. The practice squad proved to be an ideal environment for both individuals. They could participate in meetings, practice alongside NFL offensive linemen, and learn the technical aspects of their positions without being rushed into actual game action.

The development of Bernard and Weru is not likely to follow a conventional timeline. Both players must build the football instincts that most NFL prospects acquire in high school or earlier. Philadelphia's investment in these players is based on patience rather than immediate production. By securing their spots on the practice squad, the Eagles ensured that they retained two rare athletes and granted their coaching staff the opportunity to transform their physical potential into usable football skills.