October 24, 2016
The Philadelphia Eagles have lost CB Ron Brooks for the season with a ruptured ligament in his quad, and thus have a free roster spot, which they have filled by signing defensive lineman Taylor Hart off of waivers from the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced. Brooks was placed on injured reserve.
Hart made the Eagles' initial 53-man roster but was released along with CB C.J. Smith and WR Paul Turner after they claimed three players – S Terrence Brooks, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, and WR Bryce Treggs – off of waivers in September.
Hart was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was selected for his ability to play as a two-gapping DE in the Eagles' 3-4 scheme. With the Eagles moving to a 4-3 attack-style defense, many (self included) assumed Hart would be a poor fit for the Eagles new scheme. However, he played well in training camp and the preseason games. Hart was reportedly on the trading block, but the Eagles did not find any suitors.
After his release, Hart reunited with former college and pro coach Chip Kelly with the 49ers. The Eagles snapped Hart right back up once he became available.
The Eagles also signed corner Aaron Grymes, who was "waived-injured" by the Eagles during the preseason. He will join the practice squad.
The Eagles originally signed Grymes back in February. In his four-year career at Idaho from 2009-2012, Grimes had just three interceptions and 13 pass breakups. After college, Grimes played for three years with the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL from 2013-2015, where he had eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
Grymes was one of the Eagles' standouts in the preseason games, highlighted by this spectacular interception against the Steelers:
However, that interception might have also cost Grymes a roster spot, as he injured his shoulder on the play.
The Eagles are paper-thin at cornerback. They signed corner C.J. Smith 11 days ago, and it is likely Smith will be promoted even further, as he will likely be among the Eagles' 45 active players on Sunday, joining Leodis McKelvin, Nolan Carroll, and Jalen Mills. As noted previously, safety Malcolm Jenkins will likely fill the slot corner role that was vacated by Brooks when the Eagles go to their nickel personnel package, with Jaylen Watkins filling in at Jenkins' safety spot.
Expect Grymes to be brought along slowly.
"We had him in camp and [he] hasn't played ball, so we have to see where he’s at," said Doug Pederson to reporters on Monday.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
Like Jimmy on Facebook.
