Safety Justin Evans. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles add oft-injured safety to roster

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 3/21/23

Justin Evans has missed 59 games since joining the NFL in 2017, but he sure doesn't want to miss the opportunity to play in Philadelphia.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Eagles have signed the injury-prone safety to a one-year deal after losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps to free agency.

Taken in the second round by Tampa Bay in 2017, Evans’ career was off to a promising start. He had 66 tackles and three interceptions as a rookie before missing the last two games with an ankle injury.

He missed six more games with a toe injury in 2018 and the entire 2019 season with a torn Achilles. After starting 2020 on the PUP list, Evans was released in December with a failed physical designation.

The #Eagles are signing free agent safety Justin Evans, per @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/i3ZDsZF7Da
— JAKIB Sports (@JAKIBSports) March 20, 2023

Evans went unsigned in 2021 before joining New Orleans in 2022. He appeared in fifteen games with 29 tackles and a forced fumble as a Saint, but once again missed the final two games with a shoulder injury.

With a track record like that, Evans certainly has a lot to prove. Even with Epps and Gardner-Johnson on new teams, he could still have a tough time earning a roster spot.

At the moment, Reed Blankenship and K’von Wallace can be penciled in at the safety position, but the team will certainly look to upgrade the position before the start of the 2023 season.

If Evans can regain even some of his rookie form, he’ll provide much-needed depth at the safety position. Otherwise he’ll need to make a mark on special teams if he hopes to stick around.

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