Path To Eagles Roster: Why Carson Steele And Willie Lampkin Both Should Make The 53

PHILADELPHIA - Here’s one thing each to remember about Carson Steele and Willie Lampkin:

-- Steele didn’t just appear out of thin air. He played in 17 games with the Chiefs and made three starts.

-- Lampkin was a college All-American at the University of North Carolina.

These guys have pedigree. They should also have jobs this fall with the Eagles.

Steele’s job status is more uncertain. His presence on the final 53 would mean the Eagles are keeping four running backs. The last time they kept that many was in 2023 when they protected D’Andre Swift, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny, who was nothing more thana spare part.

Penny was inactive for 11 games and active for two others but did not play, finishing with 11 carries for 33 yards in the entire season. It was his final NFL season.

Steele is just 23. He has a future. He cannot be just a spare part if he is on the roster. He is supposed to be a fullback, but Sean Mannion is on record as saying that using a fullback, if one is on the roster, would be made on a week-to-week basis depending on the matchup.

“Usually here, they have the fullback stay in the running back room, but honestly wherever they need is where I’m gonna be,” said Steele on Aug. 13. “I always tell myself it’s kind of like being a Swiss army knife, just doing anything, special teams, fullback, running back, wherever they need me.”

Steele’s terrific game against the Patriots on Saturday night certainly opened some eyes, with 117 total yards, 84 of which came on six catches, including a leaping 20-yard catch-and-run TD that required hurdling a defender inside the 5, and 33 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also made an excellent blitz pickup coming up the middle. The block ended with him on his backside, but the defender was on the ground with him. Job done.

Steele opened eyes in Kansas City, too, during a regular-season game. He once ran for 72 yards on 17 carries in a win over the Atlanta Falcons early in the 2024 regular season. He got caught in a numbers game in KC and spent last year on the practice squad. The Eagles signed him to a futures deal on Jan. 13.

Willie Lampkin Has Probably Done Enough To Make Roster

Willi Lampkin — Jun 9, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin (61) and guard Micah Morris (76) drill during minicamp at Jefferson Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As for Lampkin, his roster security feels better. He has been a bully on the interior line. He should have a job won. He had a strong camp for the Rams last year after signing as an undrafted free agent following his All-American season with the Tar Heels, but an injury led to his release.

The Eagles swooped in and put him on IR last season. That caused him to miss the entire season.

“Last season when I came in, I was injured, so that was a little tough for me, but now it feels like a new beginning and I'm having a great time learning the playbook, learning from Landon (Dickerson) Jordan (Mailata), Lane (Johnson), Coach Coop (Chris Kuper)," he said. "hey've been teaching me a lot and I'm just blessed.”

Lampkin has two others helping make him better, too – defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan davis.

“Those guys are the best in the league,” he said. “Like those guys, they are amazing. So, it's like going up against them is I feel like if I could go up against them and I can do okay, I feel like I'll be just fine.”

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