Eagles Injury Update: 3 more defensive backs miss practice

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Update, 4:35 p.m.: The Eagles filled the 53rd spot on the roster by claiming safety Trae Elston off waivers from Buffalo.

The Eagles are pretty light at defensive back Wednesday.

Rodney McLeod and Jaylen Watkins, who both suffered hamstring injuries during Sunday's 27-20 loss to Kansas City, didn't practice Wednesday. 

"Right now, day to day," Pederson said. "Keep evaluating, keep monitoring both of those guys."

Defensive back Corey Graham also didn't practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury of his own. He was on the field wearing a baseball cap, chatting with McLeod, Watkins and Sidney Jones.

The Eagles are down to just six healthy defensive backs without McLeod, Watkins, Graham and Ronald Darby, who is out for at least another few weeks with a dislocated ankle. 

Despite the numbers in the secondary, the Eagles still haven't filled the empty spot on their roster. The Eagles have had the 53rd spot empty since they placed Donnel Pumphrey on IR with a torn hamstring Friday.

Pederson said the Eagles are going to "keep [their] eyes open" but haven't made a decision on how to fill the empty roster spot yet. They have just one defensive back on their practice squad. They signed former Chiefs corner De'Vante Bausby last week.

The Eagles tried to sign safety DeAndre Houston-Carson off the Bears' practice squad, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, but the Bears were able to keep him by promoting him to their active roster.

The Eagles were so light at safety in Sunday's game that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz admitted the team started to prepare linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill to go into the game. On Wednesday, the Eagles had just two healthy safeties: Malcolm Jenkins and the seldom-used Chris Maragos. 

DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist) also missed Wednesday's practice. He missed the game on Sunday. 

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