Friday’s Eagles promoted Anthony Harris from their practice squad and will make him active for Saturday’s playoff game against the Giants.

Harris, 31, is playing for the Eagles for the first time this season on Saturday night.

In 2021, Harris was a safe starter with the Eagles but the team decided to move on after the year was over. Harris ended up in Denver on their practice squad, was eventually elevated to the active roster and played in three games for the Broncos, all on special teams.

The Eagles brought Harris back in December after he was released by the Broncos the previous week. Harris has been on the Eagles’ practice squad since December 13th and it looks like they were saving him from the playoffs.

While the Eagles are still without Avonte Maddox (toe) for this game, the addition of Harris gives them more veteran depth. In Week 18, the Eagles used CJ Gardner-Johnson as the safety in their starting pack and slotted him into the slot on the nickel. When CJGJ was at Nickel, rookie Reed Blankenship played the other safety along with Marcus Epps.

That lineup is likely to continue on Saturday night but Harris’ presence gives the Eagles depth and options. Harris is probably the extra defensive back in the dime package that Jonathan Gannon rarely uses.

If nothing else, Harris played a lot of special teams during his time in the NFL.

In his professional career, Harris has played in 98 games with 61 starts after coming out of Virginia in 2015. He played for Gannon at Minnesota and has a solid understanding of that defense.

On Saturday night, Harris will be the Eagles’ only defensive back with an interception postseason. While still with the Vikings, Harris selected Drew Brees in the wild card round in the 2019 postseason.

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