The Eagles promoted defensive tackle Bruce Hector from the practice squad to the active roster on Friday afternoon, filling the open spot heading into Sunday's game in Buffalo. Hector gives the Eagles four healthy defensive tackles along with Fletcher Cox, Albert Huggins, and Anthony Rush. Huggins and Rush will make their NFL debuts on Sunday.
Hector has regular-season game experience from his rookie year with the Eagles where he played in eight games and teamed up for a sack on Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. The Bills boast the seventh-best rushing offense in the league in terms of yards per game with 135.8.
"He's a guy that obviously has been in our system. Knows the defense. Knows the front," head coach Doug Pederson said of Hector on Friday. "I know he's excited, if given the opportunity. It's something that you can see him in practice and he's been talking to the guys about it, like, 'Man, hopefully this is my time,' and if he does (play), he'll do well for us, but just, again, it gives us the added depth we need at that spot until we get some guys back."
The 25-year-old Hector originally joined the Eagles as a rookie free agent out of South Florida in 2018. In 43 career games with the Bulls (24 starts), Hector posted 18 career sacks and earned All-AAC honors as a senior.
