Eagles Elevate WR Hidden Gem to Active Roster After Giants Offer to Steal Him
Philadelphia, PA – September 30, 2025
The New York Giants’ desperate search for a Malik Nabers replacement nearly landed them a young wide receiver from across the division. But the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t about to let him slip away.
According to multiple reports, the Giants expressed interest in signing Javon Baker off Philadelphia’s practice squad after Nabers’ season-ending ACL tear. By league rules, Baker could have been added directly to New York’s 53-man roster if he accepted the offer.
Instead, the Eagles responded decisively — elevating Baker to their own active roster on Tuesday. The move protects the 23-year-old and ensures he’ll remain in Philadelphia for at least three weeks as he now secures a full roster spot.
Baker’s path has been anything but ordinary. A fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2024 after a trade with the Chargers, he signed a four-year, $4.5 million rookie deal that included a $785,000 signing bonus. He saw the field in 11 games as a rookie, logging just one reception for 12 yards, while also drawing attention for off-field issues including a social media rant about a traffic ticket and a missed curfew in London before a game against Jacksonville.
In the 2025 preseason, Baker earned praise from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for his work on special teams as a gunner, but he was ultimately cut from the 53-man roster on August 27. Two days later, he cleared waivers and chose to sign with the Eagles’ practice squad rather than return to New England — citing a bigger opportunity with the reigning Super Bowl champions. He has since trained with Philly’s WR depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, wearing jersey No. 86 after briefly holding No. 6.
Now, with the Giants circling, the Eagles made the call to keep him in-house. For Baker, it’s a chance to prove himself on the active roster; for the Eagles, it’s about protecting a hidden gem and preventing a hated NFC East rival from poaching him at a moment of weakness.
Jalen Hurts Covers Full Costs to Bring Iryna Zarutska Home to Ukraine
Philadelphia, PA – September 16, 2025
The Ukrainian community in America has been grieving deeply following the tragic death of Iryna Zarutska. She left her homeland during wartime to provide for her family, but her journey in the United States ended in heartbreaking tragedy.
Her relatives pleaded through online forums, appealing desperately for help to return her body to Ukraine. The calls spread quickly, highlighting the family’s urgent need for closure, dignity, and the chance to finally say goodbye to their daughter.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts quietly stepped forward to answer that call. Without publicity or hesitation, Hurts committed to funding the full cost of transporting Zarutska home, ensuring her family would be reunited with her in Ukraine.
In his statement, Hurts drew parallels between athletes and ordinary workers. “We play football to earn money for our families. She, too, left her family for America just to provide for them while her country was at war.”
He continued, his words striking a chord with millions. “Tragically, it was an American who took her from them forever. And now, I will be the American who brings her back to her family.”
The gesture sparked waves of admiration, as fans and humanitarian groups praised Hurts for using his platform to uplift others. His act has been described as compassion in action, bridging the world of sports and humanity in profound ways.
For the Ukrainian community in the U.S., Hurts’s action carried special weight. Many called it solidarity beyond borders, proof that their pain had been noticed, and that one family’s dignity could symbolize hope for many others.
Eagles teammates and coaches expressed pride in Hurts’s decision, noting that leadership goes far beyond touchdowns and victories. The Eagles organization itself is expected to formally recognize his generosity as an example of character and heart.
As the NFL season moves on, Jalen Hurts’s actions resonate louder than any play on the field. By ensuring Iryna Zarutska’s final journey home, he reminded the world that true greatness is measured in humanity, not statistics.
