The Eagles on Monday afternoon made a move that seems to be a good sign Jalen Mills will return this week.
A few hours after Doug Pederson said he expects Mills to practice this week, the Eagles waived cornerback Ryan Lewis, possibly to create a roster spot for Mills.
Mills, 25, is still on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a foot injury that has kept him out nearly a year, but should practice this week and could be ready to assume a role on defense this Sunday night in Dallas.
"We're going to incorporate Jalen Mills a little bit this week in practice, we'll see where he's at at the end of the week and if he's capable maybe there's an opportunity there (for him to play)," Pederson said.
If Mills returns to practice this week, the Eagles will have three weeks to either add him to the active roster or place him on Injured Reserve. It looks like he's clearly coming back to the Eagles' roster and it seems like it will happen sooner rather than later.
But even if Mills plays this Sunday, don't expect him to have a huge role. He hasn't played in a game since Oct. 28 last year in London. The Eagles will need to bring him back slowly.
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In addition to Mills, Ronald Darby (hamstring) is also expected to practice this week. While Mills and Darby aren't saviors, they should at least help a secondary that was completely gashed by Kirk Cousins in Minnesota this past weekend.
Lewis, 25, was signed to the Eagles' practice squad on Oct. 1 and was called up on Oct. 4. He played 43 special teams snaps during his two weeks on the Eagles' active roster. The Eagles' practice squad is full at 10, but if Lewis clears waivers, he's a candidate to return in that capacity.
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