Eagles release four, including LB Ryan Rau

Chip Kelly continued to fiddle with the Eagles roster when he released linebacker Ryan Rau, wide receiver Ron Johnson, linebacker Marcus Dowtin and cornerback Chris Hawkins on Thursday.

Only Rau played last season for the Eagles. Johnson broke his ankle during training camp and spent all of 2012 on Injured Reserve. Dowtin finished the season on the practice squad. Hawkins was signed early this offseason.

All four were considered longshots to make the 53-man roster before coach Chip Kelly decided to waive them less than two weeks into offseason workouts.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Rau spent most of last season on the practice squad. He was called up to the 53-man roster in December and played in four games, mostly on special teams. His lone standout moment was a dubious one against the Bengals when he forgot he was on the punt team and the Eagles forced a kick that was blocked.