Title: Former Titans and Falcons Linebacker Rashaan Evans Joins the Philadelphia Eagles
Subtitle: Evans ready to make an impact on the Eagles’ defense after signing with the team
Philadelphia, PA – In a surprising move, former Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Rashaan Evans has joined the Philadelphia Eagles. After starting 67 games over the past five years, Evans signed with the Eagles’ practice squad and seems poised to secure a spot on the active roster soon.
When asked about his decision to join the Eagles, Evans stated, “It was a no-brainer.” He emphasized his desire to be part of a winning team and a great organization, making Philadelphia the perfect fit. Evans arrived in Philadelphia on Monday night and is eager to contribute to the team’s success.
The Eagles’ need for linebackers became urgent due to Nakobe Dean’s placement on injured reserve, requiring him to miss at least four games. With limited options at off-ball linebacker, the team quickly promoted Nicholas Morrow from the practice squad and signed Evans, who did not participate in training camp this summer.
Last year, the Eagles’ linebacking corps consisted of T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, Shaun Bradley, Kyron Johnson, and Dean. However, only Christian Elliss remains from that group, with Elliss set to make his first career start against the Minnesota Vikings. Evans provides much-needed depth and experience to the position.
Although Evans wasn’t part of any training camp this year, his presence on the field is highly valued. Last season, he started 17 games and recorded impressive numbers, including 159 tackles, two sacks, four pass breakups, and six tackles for loss. Being one of just five linebackers across the league to achieve those benchmarks, Evans is determined to show his worth on the Eagles’ defense.
When asked about not being in a training camp, Evans responded light-heartedly, suggesting that teams simply favor certain players. He asserted that he doesn’t take it personally and views it as an opportunity for other players. Evans expressed gratitude that the Eagles recognized his potential and brought him on board.
As of now, the Eagles have 13 former first-round picks on their 69-man roster, with Evans being one of seven on defense. While the team hasn’t selected a linebacker in the first round in over 40 years, Evans aims to make a significant impact. He finds similarities between the Eagles’ defense and the scheme run by Kirby Smith at the University of Alabama, where Evans played college football.
In addition to the familiarity with the defensive scheme, Evans also has connections within the Eagles’ locker room. He played alongside Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith during his college days at Alabama, and he crossed paths with A.J. Brown in Tennessee and Marcus Mariota and Olamide Zaccheaus in Atlanta last season.
Now that Evans is with the Eagles, he just needs to learn the playbook and prove to the coaches that he is ready to contribute on the field. Despite the challenges, he remains confident in his abilities and recognizes the opportunity that comes with injuries and competition.
“There’s always going to be opportunity,” Evans remarked. “Injury is 100 percent guaranteed in this league. You can either be the guy that’s hurt or you can be the guy that’s coming up working to try to get a starting job. For me, I just look at it more like the best guys are going to play. If I’m that guy, then I play. If not, I have to play my role as such. I’m definitely excited for the opportunity. I’m just glad that the Eagles saw something in me to be able to bring it home.”
As Evans continues his journey with the Eagles, fans eagerly anticipate his impact on the team’s defense. The strong talent and experience he brings to the table should greatly benefit the Eagles, boosting their chances of success in the upcoming season.