The Philadelphia Eagles are actively looking to add help to their banged-up secondary.
Veteran defensive back James Bradberry landed on injured reserve Thursday, and the team reportedly attempted to fill his spot with a young, former starting cornerback of the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Eagles, Chiefs and Colts all submitted waiver claims for former fifth-round pick Samuel Womack, who is headed to Indianapolis thanks to the Colts' superior priority over the two Super Bowl hopefuls.
Womack was a core special teamer for the 49ers, recording 338 snaps over his two seasons. He also logged 216 snaps on defense, working primarily as a slot corner. In Philly, the 25-year-old could have worked behind rookie Quinyon Mitchell at the nickel spot, while adding value and depth on special teams.
The Eagles’ secondary is currently in flux with the loss of Bradberry, who had just made the initial 53-man roster as a backup safety. The roster originally included a hefty number of 11 defensive backs, but that number was reduced to 10 with Bradberry moving to IR. The team promoted linebacker Oren Burks in a corresponding move, and later signed interior offensive lineman Brett Toth to the practice squad.
The starting secondary is set for the team's Sept. 6 season opener in Brazil. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship will open as the starting safeties, with Avonte Maddox and Tristin McCollum behind them. The starting cornerbacks will be Darius Slay and some combination of Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo on the outside, with Mitchell in the slot.
If their failed waiver claim for Womack is any indication, the Eagles are not done in their search for added depth in the secondary.
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