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Eagles Elevate WR Hidden Gem to Active Roster After Giants Offer to Steal Him

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Philadelphia, PA – 2025

The New York Giants’ desperate search for a Malik Nabers replacement nearly landed them a young wide receiver from across the division. But the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t about to let him slip away.

 

According to multiple reports, the Giants expressed interest in signing Javon Baker off Philadelphia’s practice squad after Nabers’ season-ending ACL tear. By league rules, Baker could have been added directly to New York’s 53-man roster if he accepted the offer.

 

Instead, the Eagles responded decisively — elevating Baker to their own active roster on Tuesday. The move protects the 23-year-old and ensures he’ll remain in Philadelphia for at least three weeks as he now secures a full roster spot.

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Baker’s path has been anything but ordinary. A fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2024 after a trade with the Chargers, he signed a four-year, $4.5 million rookie deal that included a $785,000 signing bonus. He saw the field in 11 games as a rookie, logging just one reception for 12 yards, while also drawing attention for off-field issues including a social media rant about a traffic ticket and a missed curfew in London before a game against Jacksonville.

 

In the 2025 preseason, Baker earned praise from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for his work on special teams as a gunner, but he was ultimately cut from the 53-man roster on August 27. Two days later, he cleared waivers and chose to sign with the Eagles’ practice squad rather than return to New England — citing a bigger opportunity with the reigning Super Bowl champions. He has since trained with Philly’s WR depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, wearing jersey No. 86 after briefly holding No. 6.

Now, with the Giants circling, the Eagles made the call to keep him in-house. For Baker, it’s a chance to prove himself on the active roster; for the Eagles, it’s about protecting a hidden gem and preventing a hated NFC East rival from poaching him at a moment of weakness.

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”