In a move that flew under the radar but spoke volumes, the Philadelphia Eagles made a decisive cut on Monday, officially waiving veteran safety Lewis Cine from their Injured Reserve list, as reported by the NFL’s transaction wire. The decision marks the end of Cine’s brief and turbulent tenure with the Eagles, signaling that the former first-round pick may soon find a new home elsewhere in the league.
The Eagles’ move to part ways with Cine, a University of Georgia standout and the No. 32 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 NFL Draft, comes just weeks after they initially waived him before the 2025 season kicked off. That earlier decision coincided with a blockbuster trade that brought quarterback Sam Howell to Philadelphia from the Vikings, in exchange for a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th-round pick. The timing of the trade and Cine’s release raised eyebrows, but his placement on Injured Reserve after going unclaimed seemed to offer a temporary reprieve—until now.
According to Eagles Wire’s Glenn Erby, Monday’s transaction could indicate that Cine is healthy and ready to sign with another team. “Back in August, the Eagles parted ways with Cine after a solid showing in the preseason finale, where he snagged a diving interception,” Erby noted. “However, an injury sidelined him, and he was waived following the win over the Jets. Now, his appearance on the NFL transaction wire suggests he’s back in play for a new opportunity.”
Cine’s NFL journey has been a rollercoaster since his draft day hype. Over three seasons, he’s appeared in just 11 games, starting with three as a rookie in 2022, followed by seven in 2023 with the Vikings, and a single game in 2024 with the Buffalo Bills. After signing with the Eagles in January off Buffalo’s practice squad, Cine showed flashes of potential but couldn’t secure a lasting role. His initial waiver on August 24th came with an injury designation, but this latest move suggests Philadelphia is ready to fully move on.
The Eagles’ decision to cut ties with Cine has sparked speculation about what’s next for both the player and the team. Was this a strategic move to clear roster space for another acquisition? Or simply a cold, hard business decision after a blunt phone call with the 25-year-old defensive back? Either way, Cine’s departure leaves the Eagles’ secondary unchanged for now, but it opens the door for the young safety to revive his career elsewhere.
As the NFL season rolls on, all eyes will be on Cine to see if he can reclaim the promise that made him a first-round pick. For the Eagles, this move underscores their relentless pursuit of roster optimization, even if it means parting ways with a player once touted as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s defense. The question now is: who’s next to step into the spotlight in Philadelphia?