The Philadelphia Eagles could find themselves without starting defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan for the first few weeks of the regular season after he underwent back surgery this offseason. But despite already having options on the roster to replace Jernigan, the Eagles are still looking at other potential additions to help make up for his possible absence.
Geoff Mosher of The Score reports that former Eagles defensive tackle Cedric Thornton recently worked out for the defending champions following Jernigan’s injury. They previously met with another veteran defensive tackle in Courtney Upshaw last week.
Thornton played for the Eagles from 2012-15 after going undrafted out of Southern Arkansas. He played 61 games (45 starts) in his four seasons for Philly, racking up 172 total tackles with four sacks, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
After leaving Philadelphia in 2016, Thornton has spent the past two years playing a season apiece for the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills. Thornton picked up 49 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in 28 games during those two years, including a career-best two sacks in 15 games for the Bills last year.
The Eagles can still call upon veteran Haloti Ngata, who was signed as a free agent earlier in the offseason, to start alongside Fletcher Cox in place of Jernigan. Destiny Vaeao and Elijah Qualls are also capable of coming in to play some snaps along the interior of the Eagles line.
Still, a bit more depth on the defensive line would do the champs some good, especially if they can land a capable rotation piece in Thornton to fill in while Jernigan works his way back to full health.
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