It happened fast. One minute, Lewis Cine is diving across the turf at Lincoln Financial Field for a preseason interception against the Jets, looking every bit like the first-round talent people expected him to be. The next? He’s on crutches. By Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles had moved on.
When Lewis Cine waived by Eagles hit the transaction wire in late August 2025, it felt like a cold splash of water for fans who thought the "Georgia-to-Philly" pipeline was invincible. Honestly, it was a brutal bit of timing. The team didn't just cut him; they waived/injured him specifically to make room for a trade to acquire quarterback Sam Howell from the Vikings. Life in the NFL moves at the speed of light, especially when your body won't cooperate.
The Injury That Changed Everything
You can't talk about Cine without talking about that afternoon in London back in 2022. He was a rookie for the Vikings then, the 32nd overall pick with sky-high expectations. Then came the compound leg fracture. It wasn't just a break; it was a career-altering trauma that required two surgeries. Most guys take years to mentally trust their legs again after something like that.
Cine fought back, but he never really found his footing in Minnesota. After being released by the Vikings in 2024 and a cup of coffee with the Buffalo Bills, the Eagles took a flyer on him in January 2025. They signed him right before the playoffs. He even got a Super Bowl ring out of it when the Eagles took down the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. But rings don't guarantee roster spots in August.
🔗 Read more: Who Won the Patriots Game Yesterday: A Messy Win for New England
During the 2025 training camp, Cine was battling. Hard. He was dealing with a nagging hamstring issue early on, then a groin injury that just wouldn't quit. Despite the pain, he suited up for that final preseason game against the Jets. He played well. He got that pick. But the crutches he was seen on after the game told the real story. The Eagles couldn't afford to carry a project on the 53-man roster when they needed depth elsewhere.
Why the Eagles Pulled the Trigger
NFL rosters are basically giant, high-stakes puzzles. When GM Howie Roseman saw a chance to grab Sam Howell, he needed a spot. Cine was the odd man out. It's a "what have you done for me lately" league, and Cine's health made him a liability for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Basically, the safety room was just too crowded. You had Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown locked in. Then you had young talent like Drew Mukuba and Tristin McCollum showing out. Even with his pedigree, Cine was fighting an uphill battle. The Eagles waived him with an injury designation on August 24, 2025. He cleared waivers, reverted to IR, and was eventually waived again with an injury settlement in mid-September.
A Career at the Crossroads
It’s easy to label a first-round pick a "bust" when they don't start for ten years. That feels a bit unfair here. Since 2022, Cine has only appeared in 11 regular-season games. One tackle. That’s the entire stat sheet. But context matters.
📖 Related: Why Army Uniforms Navy Game Designs Mean More Than Just Fashion
He didn't lose his talent; he lost his health. After the Eagles cut ties, Cine didn't just vanish. He worked out for the Colts in October 2025, trying to prove he still had that 4.37 speed. Most recently, as of January 2026, he’s found a new home in the UFL with the DC Defenders. It’s a step back, sure, but for a guy whose leg was in pieces three years ago, just being on a professional field is a win.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Move
- It wasn't about performance: Cine actually had a decent preseason. If he stayed healthy, there’s a good chance he makes the practice squad or even the tail end of the 53.
- The "Georgia Connection" has limits: Just because he played at UGA doesn't mean he gets a lifetime pass from Howie Roseman. The Eagles are a business first.
- He’s not "done": At 26 years old, Cine is still young. The UFL move is a strategic play to get fresh tape and show NFL scouts his lower body can handle a full season of hits.
What’s Next for Lewis Cine?
If you're following Cine’s journey, keep your eyes on the UFL highlights this spring. He needs to show explosive lateral movement. That was the one thing scouts noticed was missing during his brief stint in Philly—that twitchy, sudden closing speed he had at Georgia.
✨ Don't miss: Head Coach Nebraska Football: What Most People Get Wrong About the Matt Rhule Era
The reality? Cine is a "prove it" player now. He’s no longer a first-round prospect; he’s a veteran trying to find a niche. If he dominates in the UFL, expect an NFL team to bring him in for a 2026 training camp invite. He’s shown he’s got the character—he even tweeted a class-act "thank you" to Philly after they waived him.
Actionable Insights for Following the Transition:
- Monitor UFL Snap Counts: For Cine, the biggest hurdle is durability. Check if he’s playing 100% of the defensive snaps for the DC Defenders.
- Look for Special Teams Value: His path back to the NFL is likely as a gunner or a high-end backup safety.
- Watch the Waiver Wire in August 2026: If he has a monster spring, he’ll be a top target for teams looking for secondary depth during the next NFL preseason.
The Eagles move was a business decision, plain and simple. It doesn't mean the book is closed on Lewis Cine, but it certainly ended the chapter on him being a "top prospect" in the eyes of NFL front offices. Now, it's all about the grind.