Julio Jones promoted to Philadelphia Eagles active roster

It took all of three practices for Julio Jones to acclimate himself with the Eagles and receive a promotion to the team’s 53-man roster.

The Eagles announced the news via social media Saturday afternoon, right after the Crimson Tide kicked off their game with Tennessee.

We've elevated WR Julio Jones and CB Mekhi Garner from the Practice Squad for tomorrow's game. pic.twitter.com/5lZtdkjwke

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 21, 2023

The Eagles signed Jones to the practice squad, this past Tuesday. The 13-year pro and former first-rounder last played a game in the NFL on Jan. 16. That’s when he was with the Bucs. He’d been an unrestricted free agent since then until the Eagles found an open space on their roster.

Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, another Crimson Tide alum, bragged on Julio Jones at a press conference earlier this week.

“He’s a guy that’s coming in and he’s about his craft,” Hurts told reporters. “Obviously, knowing where he comes from, and knowing where our background resides, he has that mentality. A future Hall of Famer. He’s as good as it gets. So, he’s coming in with a great mentality, and a great person to add to this team.”

Here’s a taste of Julio Jones at practice earlier this week.

Devonta Smith back. Lane Johnson back. Julio Jones on the field and the Kelly Green helmets. A busy – and promising day of practice at the NovaCare for Eagles fans. pic.twitter.com/CQBq9LgnlL

— rob kuestner (@rkuestnernbc10) October 19, 2023

Counting Hurts and Jones, the Eagles now have seven ex-Bama players on the roster. (Hurts played most of his career at Alabama, but transfered to Oklahoma for his senior year). Jones, at 34, is older than the other guys. But he said he’s met them all after going back for visits and working out in the Alabama football complex. The other former Crimson Tide players on the roster are offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen, cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks and receiver DaVonta Smith.

“I met Jalen (at Alabama),” Julio Jones told reporters at his intro press conference in Philadelphia. “I usually go back. Before the pandemic, I used to go back to the University of Alabama and train with the guys and talk to them – Jalen, Smitty (DeVonta Smith), and those guys; a number of guys, Calvin Ridley, everybody. So, I had a relationship with (Hurts) then.

Before the Eagles signed Julio Jones, the team didn’t have a receiver older than 26. Now, they have Jones, who with 13,269 career yards, leads all active receivers in the NFL.

“From the vet standpoint, I was the oldest vet in the room,” AJ Brown told reporters. “But now that you have someone here that’s a Hall of Fame receiver, he can really just tell you anything and everything. They’re gonna believe him more than me! He’s seen it all.

“If you don’t listen to him, you’re stupid. I’m just gonna call it what it is.” 

Meanwhile, the Dolphins sports five former Alabama players led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Jaylen Waddle.