Eagles promote CB C.J. Smith to 53-man roster

The Eagles promoted cornerback C.J. Smith from the practice squad on Thursday to take Lane Johnson's spot on the 53-man roster.

Smith, 23, gives the Eagles five cornerbacks on the active roster for the first time this season. The North Dakota State product was a college teammate of Carson Wentz who joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent and impressed through the summer, even making the initial 53-man roster. The Eagles waived him and re-signed him to the practice squad after claiming three players off waivers before Week 1, but he has remained a fixture at practice. At 5-foot-11 and 189, Smith is another young cornerback for the Eagles to develop.

The Eagles played two games with only three cornerbacks – Nolan Carroll, Ron Brooks, and Jalen Mills – because Leodis McKelvin was injured. McKelvin is expected to play this week, but Smith at least provides depth to the position.

To fill Smith's place on the practice squad, the Eagles signed tight end Anthony Denham. Denham, 25, played four games with the Houston Texans in 2014. He's 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and played college football at Utah.

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