Thursday Night Football: Terrell Lewis contributes late sack to Eagles' win

Outside linebacker Terrell Lewis had started three straight games when a back injury sidelined him for two games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. He hasn’t played in an NFL regular-season game since.

The Rams released Lewis on Dec. 16, 2022. He finished that season on the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. In 2023, Lewis spent three weeks on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad after failing to make the Bears’ regular-season roster.

Lewis signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 18 and is fighting for a spot on the regular-season roster. The depth chart lists him as a member of the fourth team.

But in the Eagles’ 14-13 preseason win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night, Lewis contributed a key catch.

On a third-and-8 play at the New England 11, Lewis sacked Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III for an 8-yard loss with 2:59 left.

New England had to punt 95 seconds after losing its lead when Philadelphia running back Kendall Milton scored on a 1-yard run and quarterback Tanner McKee threw a 2-point conversion pass to wide receiver Ainias Smith.

The Patriots had one final possession, but Eagles linebacker Brandon Smith recovered a fumble with 1:47 left to seal the victory.

Selected in the third round out of Alabama in the 2020 NFL Draft, Lewis played in 30 regular-season games and one playoff game with the Rams and was a member of the team that defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022.

Lewis was among 13 Alabama high school and college players who took the field Thursday night:

· Patriots center Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) is on injured reserve and ineligible to play.

· Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (Alabama) had a 12-yard reception.

· Patriots wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) did not record any statistics.

· Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Alabama) did not play. Barmore has not practiced since New England announced on July 28 that he had been hospitalized for blood clots. He is no longer in the hospital.

· Eagles safety Reed Blankenship (West Limestone) did not play.

· James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford) started at cornerback for the Eagles. Bradberry made two tackles.

· Eagles guard Landon Dickerson (Alabama) did not play.

· Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal) started at defensive end for the Eagles. Huff made three tackles, which came on the first, second and sixth plays of New England’s offense in the game.

· Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (Alabama) did not play.

· Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Patriots. Jennings made two tackles.

· Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe (Alabama) made a tackle and deflected a pass.

· Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (Auburn) did not play.

· Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (Enterprise, Troy) did not play.

· Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) made three defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.

· Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (Alabama) made one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle.

· Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama) did not play.

· Tyler Steen (Alabama) started at right guard for the Eagles. Steen was injured on a play with 1:07 left in the first quarter, but was able to walk to the medical tent on the sideline after being checked on the field. A cart took Steen from the sideline to the locker room, and he did not return to the game. Steen missed practice time on training camp because of a left ankle injury.

· CJ Uzomah (Auburn) started at tight end for the Eagles. Uzomah did not record any stats.

· Patriots cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State) made one defensive tackle and one special teams tackle.

· Eagles wide receiver Austin Watkins (UAB) had three receptions for 28 yards.

New England won its preseason opener 17-3 against the Carolina Panthers on August 8. The Patriots conclude their preseason schedule against the Washington Commanders at 7 p.m. CDT on August 25 at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland.

Philadelphia won its preseason opener 16-13 against the Baltimore Ravens on August 9. The Eagles conclude their preseason schedule against the Minnesota Vikings at noon on August 24 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.