NFL

Eagles add veteran Suh to bolster defensive line

By Sports Desk November 17, 2022

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed a second veteran in as many days in an effort to shore up a leaky run defence, as the team announced Thursday it has agreed to a one-year contract with five-time Pro Bowl tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Suh's addition comes one day after the 8-1 Eagles signed 34-year-old defensive tackle Linval Joseph to a one-year deal, and just three days after Philadelphia surrendered 152 rushing yards and were handed their first loss of the season with a 32-21 home defeat to the Washington Commanders.

The 35-year-old is yet to play this season while he fielded offers with the intent to sign with a contender, but started all 17 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 and finished with six sacks for a second straight campaign.

Over 12 NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay, Suh has started 191 regular-season games and compiled 70.5 sacks.

The 2010 No. 2 overall pick was named to the Pro Bowl five times between 2010-16 and was a starter on the Buccaneers' 2020 Super Bowl champion team.

The Eagles were seeking reinforcements in their defensive interior after recently placing tackles Jordan Davis and Marlon Tuipulotu on injured reserve, and to address the team's struggles in stopping the run.

Philadelphia have allowed 124 rushing yards or more in five consecutive games and rank 25th in the NFL in average yards allowed per rush attempt (4.7).

The Eagles have permitted an average of 144.4 yards per game on the ground during that five-game stretch.

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