With the first preseason game approaching, the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t done with adding players to their roster, recently showing interest in Stephen Tulloch and overall, looking to add an inside linebacker before the season begins.
The Eagles are moving back to a 4-3 defense after three years of the 3-4. This puts second-year linebacker Jordan Hicks, who had a very good rookie year, at middle linebacker, flanked by Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks. The Eagles interest in a linebacker isn’t to replace Hicks, but to help improve the depth behind him, currently consisting of Najee Goode and Joe Walker.
The Eagles have been in discussions with Stephen Tulloch over the weekend, but nothing has happened so far, maybe because of a failed physical. Tulloch is a 10-year veteran, playing as the inside linebacker throughout his entire career, spending the first five seasons of his career in Tennessee, and the last five with the Lions. He did miss most of the 2014 season, but started in 15 of his 16 appearances last year in Detroit.
Overall, the Eagles aren’t happy with their current crop of linebackers, or at least the number of usable guys they have. They’re likely to pursue an outside linebacker as well once they finish finding the right backup for Hicks, as Bradham is probably going to be suspended for a few games. He was involved in an altercation with a hotel employee, allegedly hitting the man after an argument over an umbrella. Per the NFL’s personal conduct policy, he’ll probably miss a few games.