The Eagles on Sunday released linebacker Joe Walker, their 2016 seventh-round draft pick, to make room for linebacker D.J. Alexander, who the Eagles were awarded on waivers.
Walker, 25, played for Chip Kelly at Oregon. After missing all of 2016 with a knee injury, he played in 12 games last year, starting three, before going back on Injured Reserve before the playoffs with a neck injury.
Walker played 97 snaps on defense last year and 127 on special teams. Of his 97 defensive snaps, 62 came against the 49ers, Broncos and Cowboys in the first three games after Jordan Hicks suffered a season-ending injury.
Even with Walker's release, the Eagles have five of eight 2016 draft picks on the current 53-man roster and 16 of 21 picks from the three drafts that Howie Roseman has overseen since he regained general manager duties after the 2015 season.
