Eagles Claim Charles Harris, Place Brandon Graham On IR

Having lost defensive end regulars Brandon Graham and Bryce Huff in the span of a few days, the Eagles are using the waiver wire for help. They are keeping Charles Harris out of free agency.

The Eagles will claim the veteran edge rusher after his Panthers cut, PHLY.com’s Zach Berman reports. Tied to a veteran-minimum salary, Harris will be due barely $400K for the season’s remainder. Philadelphia is placing Graham on IR to clear space for Harris.

Harris, 29, was the Panthers’ co-leader in sacks (three) this season. Carolina had seen its EDGE situation stabilize, to a degree, with D.J. Wonnum debuting after an extended rehab journey. Harris started six games for the Panthers this season but had seen his playing time dip with Wonnum back alongside Jadeveon Clowney.

The six starts were Harris’ most since 2021. The former Miami first-rounder had spent three seasons in Detroit, working as a spot starter as the Dan Campbell– and Brad Holmes-driven rebuild formed. Harris totaled 7.5 sacks for a 3-13-1 Lions team in 2021 but combined for just 2.5 over the next two seasons. After a regular Panthers role, it would seem more likely Harris settles in as a Eagles rotational backup.

Philly had a deep D-end contingent heading into Week 11 but decided to place Huff on IR due to a wrist injury. Huff is expected back late this season, but Graham is not. Although Graham sacked Matthew Stafford on Sunday night, he did not finish the game. The first 15-year Eagle in franchise history, Graham said postgame he suffered a triceps tear that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season. Graham, 36, had said in July this would be his final campaign; though, he stopped short of confirming that when asked again Sunday night.

Harris joins a DE group that still houses a healthy Josh Sweat, with 2023 first-rounder Nolan Smith and rookie third-round Jalyx Hunt also in the mix. The waiver claim will become the fourth DE on Philly’s 53-man roster. Hunt has only played 66 defensive snaps this season. Either his workload expands by a notable margin or the Eagles plug Harris in after his run as a Panthers regular.