Thomas Booker IV fired up following Philadelphia Eagles roster cuts

Ryan OLeary

•
Thomas Booker IV fired up following Philadelphia Eagles roster cuts image

The NFL’s cut-down day is behind us, and for players on the roster bubble, no news is often good news. 

At first glance, the Philadelphia Eagles’ initial 53-man roster includes its share of surprises. The team went heavy at defensive tackle (6) and defensive back (11), while staying lean at tight end (2) and offensive line (9).

One young, rising defensive tackle was fired up to make the team.

Thomas Booker IV, a former 5th-round pick of the Houston Texans, entered Eagles training camp as a relative unknown having spent all of last season on the practice squad. He enters the 2024 regular season on the active roster. 

Here’s what the 24-year-old said after surviving cut-down day:

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took questions from the local media Tuesday evening and shed light on Booker’s offseason.

“He lived in the facility,” Roseman said. “Tremendous work ethic. Obviously an incredibly smart guy, a Stanford guy. He's got all the tools in his body. Just an incredible tribute to him and how hard he worked.”

Roseman and the Eagles shifted from loading up on undrafted free agents prior to training camp, instead signing 20 players to futures deals. Booker signed one of those deals. He made an impression last year working primarily on the scout team, but he earned his roster spot this year behind an excellent preseason. He had eight pressures and a sack in 70 preseason snaps, an 11.4% pressure rate.

"When you see his tape and his get-off, and his ability to play with leverage, to play with power, to affect the quarterback, to be disruptive around the quarterback in the backfield,” Roseman said, "to us, it was clear the guy deserved to be on the team.”

And in this case, no news really was good news for Booker.

“I probably should have said this to him before I said it to you guys,” Roseman quipped.

MORE EAGLES NEWS: 

Detroit Lions cut ex-Eagles backup QB that Doug Pederson made famous

The Eagles should explore this trade before 53-man roster is finalized

Eagles Darius Slay reacts to NFC East rival’s new $136M wide receiver

Surprise preseason injury could forge alternate path for Eagles rookie

Saquon Barkley welcomes fellow Penn State alum Jahan Dotson to Eagles

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.