Darius

Philon

Philon appeared in 11 games last year, notching two sacks and five TFLs. Employed by the Raiders, Philon was playing for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, who now holds the same role for the Colts. Philon’s experience in Bradley’s system could land him a one-year deal in Indy.

Philon has received little interest on the free agent market as he rehabs a torn patellar tendon suffered in Week 18 with Las Vegas. He’d compete with Johnathan Hankins, Bilal Nichols, Vernon Butler, Kyle Peko, and a few others in the interior rotation if healthy.

Philon will be a free agent after the season. He finished with two sacks and two passes defensed as a rotational lineman. The injury won’t be great for his market, but he played well enough in 2021 to be in some team’s plans.

Philon jumped to get in the way of a Justin Herbert throw but came down hard. He appeared to be holding his right knee before being carted. Philon had four total tackles and a TFL before exiting.

Raiders GM Mike Mayock has always preached signing “high character” prospects to the locker room but has never actually walked the walk — hence the addition of Philon, who was once arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and released from Arizona a few months later. Philon, 27, obviously hasn’t played football since.

Signed to a two-year, $10 million contract in March, cutting Philon was an easy call after he was arrested on Friday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an incident in May. Third-round pick Zach Allen will now be thrust into Arizona’s starting lineup alongside NT Corey Peters and DE Rodney Gunter.

The deal includes $5 million guaranteed. It is a good deal for the former sixth-round pick, who has come on strong the last two seasons with 8.5 sacks. Philon should step into a starting role on Arizona’s defensive line.

A 2015 sixth-rounder, Philon played only 150 rookie-year snaps. He got most of the first-team reps this offseason with Joey Bosa unsigned. Philon should be a regular part of San Diego’s rotation.

Philon (6'1/298) left Arkansas as a redshirt sophomore after racking up 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as an 18-game starter. He showed plus movement skills at the Combine, running a 5-flat forty with a 31-inch vertical. A three-technique prospect with a highly explosive get-off at the snap, Philon offers ideal quickness and a high ceiling as a 21-year-old with lots of room for growth.

He’s ineligible to return until Week 14. Philon played 55 snaps as a sub-package interior pass-rusher prior to going down. With RG D.J. Fluker and LG Orlando Franklin questionable, the Chargers promoted OL Michael Ola.