Five Philadelphia Eagles Dark Horse Players Who Could Make The 53-Man Roster

Any casual observer of the Philadelphia Eagles knew before this training camp even began that there would be competition up and down the roster.

That's just how Chip Kelly does things and given the fact that it is his first season as an NFL head coach, it's little surprise that only along the offensive line and at running back are the pecking orders all but decided with half of the preseason already in the books.

This is a team that has yet to even announce a starting quarterback for the season opener, and a squad whose head coach has referred to as being 'written in sand'.

With the season opener against the Washington Redskins on September 9 fast approaching, there is competition up and down the roster and jobs that are up for grabs. Throw in the fact that two wide receivers have already torn ACL's during Camp Kelly (Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn) and that the depth is already being called into question because of injury, and there is still plenty of intrigue remaining in the final two preseason games of the year.

There certainly are roster spots on this team that are cemented, but there also are jobs that can be had by players who are versatile and willing to switch positions for the betterment of the team and to improve the chances of collecting a paycheck by the time the regular season rolls around.

Here are five players that originally were viewed as long shots who now have a legitimate chance at making the Eagles' opening day roster.

1. WR Greg Salas

Greg Salas has had a few chances to make it in the NFL.

The former University of Hawaii standout failed to latch on with the St. Louis Rams or New England Patriots, but is making quite a case to land a roster spot with the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

Entering training camp, Salas was a long shot to make the Eagles roster, but ACL tears suffered by Maclin and Benn have catapulted the third-year wide receiver up Kelly's depth chart. It also doesn't hurt that through two preseason games, he has notched five catches for 81 yards.

Because of the aforementioned injuries, the Eagles' receiving corps is limited behind DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant and Riley Cooper. Salas has proven to be the most versatile of the bunch behind the returning veterans and just may have already sealed up a roster spot heading into the second half of the preseason.

2. LB Jacob Knott

As an undrafted rookie out of Iowa State, inside linebacker Jake Knott by definition was a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

That hasn't stopped him from making a strong impression in practice and having that carry over to the team's first two preseason games, where he has been a force in the middle of a defense that's still trying to find its footing.

At this point, it seems that Knott has already bypassed the likes of Jamar Chaney and Casey Matthews, who could be on their way out of town after previously being starters under former head coach Andy Reid.

"I think Jake's had a really, really good camp," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said last week. "He's got an instinct and nose for the football. He just kind of seems to be around it a lot. There are some intuitive things that Jake brings out that sometimes it takes a long time to coach that into somebody. He came here with that."

Through two preseason games, Knott already has totaled six tackles and half a sack. His strong play coupled with linebacker Jason Phillips' torn ACL certainly have cleared the path towards a roster spot.

3. LB Emmanuel Acho

When the Eagles traded running back Dion Lewis to the Cleveland Browns for Emmanuel Acho, it appeared to be nothing more than the team swapping depth at one position for depth at another.

However, with half of a preseason and training camp in the books, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Texas Product has shown the ability to be a playmaking linebacker in the 3-4, something that is a scarcity on this roster.

Against the Carolina Panthers in the team's second preseason game, Acho shared the team lead in tackles with four along with Cary Williams.

After spending all of 2012 on IR with a knee injury, Acho is still looking to play in his first NFL game. Because of depleted depth on special teams, it appears that Acho has a good chance of accomplishing that goal this season with the Eagles.

4. QB G.J. Kinne

No, this slide is not a misprint.

Granted, G.J. Kinnehas zero chance of making the active roster as a quarterback, but the University of Tulsa product just may surprise some people and make the roster as a special teamer.

Only taking fewer than a handful of snaps during the Eagles' first two preseason games and with the bulk of practice work under center going to Michael Vick and Nick Foles, Kinne has resorted to spending a large portion of his daily routine working with the special teams during practice.

“In high school I was a punt returner, punter, stuff like that,” Kinne said after practice last week. “So I’m not doing punt returns but I’m doing some kickoff return and punt rush. I’m not very familiar with it, but obviously we have great coaches, so they’re helping me out. I did everything in high school and then even in college I punted some, so I’ve been versatile my whole life.”

Given the rash of injuries on the Birds' special teams, Kinne's versatility and experience with that unit may prove to be an asset when the turk makes his rounds on cutdown day.

5. TE Clay Harbor

It's no secret that Kelly has a fondness of tight ends.

Even with that said, inconsistency combined with the sheer numbers game at the position made making this team an uphill battle for four-year veteran Clay Harbor.

With Brent Celek, James Casey and second-round draft choice Zach Ertz all locks to make the opening day roster, Harbor seemed like he had to battle his way to a spot come final cutdown day.

However, given the injuries at receiver, Harbor has chipped in and begun to make a name for himself at that position. Given his tight end pedigree and the fact that the Eagles are paper thin at wide receiver at this point, Harbor may no longer be a dark horse to making the opening day active roster. It isn't impossible to envision a scenario with Casey, Ertz, Celek and Harbor all on the field at once, as long as the Missouri State product continues to prove himself during the remainder of camp.