Eagles release Dameon Pierce from IR with injury settlement

The Philadelphia Eagles released running back Dameon Pierce from injured reserve with an injury settlement on Friday, per the NFL transaction wire. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro and national reporter Aaron Wilson both confirmed the move, which takes Pierce off IR and makes him an unrestricted free agent.

What's confirmed. Pierce is no longer on Philadelphia's injured reserve. An injury settlement ends the four-game IR clock that started when the Eagles placed him there on Oct. 28. He can sign with another club as soon as he is ready to play. The injury itself remains undisclosed in the public reporting.

How we got here. Pierce left late in the Week 7 Monday night loss to Dallas, then landed on IR while Saquon Barkley was managing hamstring and back issues. In three games after his Oct. 7 promotion from the practice squad, Pierce carried 37 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns and added seven catches for 14 yards. RSO covered the IR move and Jaydon Blue's promotion that same day. Friday's settlement is a clean escalation from that IR listing: Pierce is off the roster, not waiting out the remainder of the IR stay in Philadelphia.

What it means for the Eagles backfield. Philadelphia still lists Barkley as its lead back, with Blue on the active roster and Elijah Mitchell on the practice squad. Will Shipley (foot) and Tank Bigsby remain unavailable on IR. Cutting Pierce with a settlement frees a roster/IR slot and signals the club is done waiting on him for this stretch. It also raises the odds Philadelphia adds short-term backfield help before or after its Week 10 bye.

What RSO owners should do now. Drop or stash Pierce only if you were holding him as an Eagles handcuff. He is not a PHI contributor anymore. As a free agent, he is a watch-list add for deep leagues if a backfield-needy team signs him and he clears whatever limited him. Do not start him until he lands somewhere and practices cleanly.

What to watch next. Any signing announcement naming Pierce, plus Philadelphia's next running back transaction. Barkley's Friday and Sunday status for Week 9 still drives the Eagles' rush shares more than this cut does.