Not seeing any recreation motion from 2019-21, Justin Evans relaunched his profession in New Orleans final season. His Saints displaying generated Eagles curiosity, and the defending NFC champions signed the previous second-round choose this offseason.
Regardless of taking part in as a part-timer for a 7-10 Saints squad final season, Evans labored as a full-time starter for the Eagles this yr. Philadelphia used Evans as a four-game starter, doing in order it retooled at security within the offseason. However Evans’ season got here to a halt because of a knee harm. His IR keep will now shift to a long-term designation.
The Eagles designated Evans for return on Nov. 14 however let the 21-day activation window expire Tuesday, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson stories. This may ship the veteran security to season-ending IR. The Eagles will protect their 5 remaining IR activations, whereas Evans might be ineligible to play once more this season. Shaquille Leonard will take Evans’ place on Philly’s 53-man roster; the previous All-Professional linebacker selected the Eagles over the Cowboys on Monday. Philly’s transfer doubles as the primary occasion of a participant’s IR return window closing this season.
Evans signed a one-year, $1.5M contract in March, doing in order the Eagles let their two starters from 2022 — C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps — signal midlevel offers elsewhere. Epps signed a two-year, $12M Raiders contract, whereas Gardner-Johnson might solely fetch a one-year, $6M Lions pact. However the Eagles have made a significant change on the place throughout Evans’ IR stint.
Former All-Professional Kevin Byard now strains up alongside Reed Blankenship at security, with the Eagles making a commerce with the Titans that despatched backup Terrell Edmunds and two Day 3 draft picks to Tennessee. Edmunds had began three Eagles video games this season, with Evans additionally lacking an early-season recreation with a neck harm. Behind Byard and Blankenship, the Eagles have third-round rookie Sydney Brown. Josiah Scott and Tristin McCollum are the safeties on Philly’s apply squad.
