March 20, 2023   2 MIN READ

Birds Add Safety

Report: Eagles Sign Former Bucs S Justin Evans

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One after after officially ending their pursuit of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles moved to fortify their depleted safety position.

The team reportedly signed fourth-year safety Justin Evans, a 2017 second-round pick who spent last season with the Saints after injuries forced him out of football from 2019-2021.

Evans last year played in 15 games, starting four, and finished with 29 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble while playing 39% of defensive snaps. He also played 28% of special teams snaps.

Justin Evans

GETTY IMAGES: The Eagles signed another free agent with a long injury history in safety Justin Davis, who at one point was out of football for three straight seasons.

Evans, a Texas A&M product, joins a defense that just lost Gardner-Johnson, who on Monday signed with the Lions, and other starting safety Marcus Epps (Raiders) in free agency, leaving the Eagles with just backups K’von Wallace, Reed Blankenship and Andre Chachere to compete for starting spots.

It’s still an area of the defense that personnel chief Howie Roseman is likely to upgrade before the start of the season.

Evans is another low-risk signing of a once-promising prospect who’s career has been marked by injuries, joining running back Rashaad Penny and cornerback Greedy Williams.

After being picked 50th overall by the Buccaneers in 2017, Davis started 11 games as a rookie but ended his season on Injured Reserve. He also ended 2018 on Injured Reserve, after starting 10 games. In 2019, he missed the whole season with an Achilles injury, and also didn’t play in 2020. He also suffered through turf toe during his time on the sideline.

Evans finally returned to action this year with the Saints, playing the most games of his career. Evans showed playmaking skills as a rookie, finishing with three interceptions for 48 return yards.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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About The Author

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Geoff Mosher is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years experience covering the Eagles, the NFL and other college and pro sports across several different multimedia platforms. He is co-host of the acclaimed Inside the Birds podcast, the leading podcast for intel on the Philadelphia Eagles, and co-host on 97.3 ESPN's drive-time show. He has also hosted on Philadelphia's sports-talk station, 94.1 WIP and 97.5 The Fanatic. Geoff was the lead Eagles Insider from 2012-2015 for NBC Sports Philadelphia, where he wrote for the website and appeared daily on the station's TV shows, including Quick Slants, Philly Sports Talk, Eagles Pregame/Postgame Live and Eagles Extra. Prior to joining NBC Sports, Geoff worked the Eagles beat from 2005-2012 for the Wilmington News Journal, where he broke several major news stories and also won an Associated Press Sports Editors award under the category of Breaking News for his coverage of the sudden death of Phillies play by play broadcaster Harry Kalas. Geoff has appeared on ESPN's SportsCenter, NFL Network, NBC Sports Network, FOX29, 6ABC and has conducted interviews for Sirius/XM NFL radio and countless other radio stations across the country.

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