Eagles Release Henry, Add McBriar

Three weeks into the season, the Eagles have cut ties with punter Chas Henry and added veteran Mat McBriar.

Henry beat McBriar out at training camp. He started the season out with what special-teams coach Bobby April called “by far” the best game of his career against the Browns, but Henry turned in a dud in Week 2 against the Ravens.

“He doesn’t drop the ball consistently,” April said last week. “He’s got a little bit of a technical flaw where he has a habit of either throwing his little finger in or his thumb out. It causes the drop of the ball not to be correct. It’s something he knows that he constantly works on. It’s just something in there that he’s got to get out of.”

Henry had a better game against the Cardinals, but apparently, the coaching staff feels McBriar is a better option going forward.

McBriar spent eight seasons with the Cowboys and was a two-time Pro Bowler, last earning the honor in 2010. He had offseason surgery to remove a cyst in his left leg that had caused him trouble with his plant foot.

In addition to punting, he’ll be counted on to hold for Alex Henery on field goals, something which seemed to be a bit of a concern in the preseason.

“I think it’s always big,” April said earlier this month.

“I feel pretty confident that he [Henry] was a little bit better holder. Not much, not much, but he had a little more nimbleness and dexterity with the ball. He was a little bit better setting it down and he got it down a little quicker. He gave Alex a little more opportunity to see it longer. It was a factor for sure. Mat is a good holder, but I just think that Chas is just a little bit better.”

The Eagles also made a practice-squad move, signing long snapper Kyle Nelson and releasing wide receiver Jeremy Ebert. Jon Dorenbos suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, and his status going forward is unknown.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.