Justin

Evans

Evans was placed on injured reserve in mid-October after suffering a knee injury in Week 5. The veteran safety has missed the required four games and is now tracking toward a return. Evans started all four games he’s appeared in this season, totaling 15 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. With his 21-day window now opened, the Eagles have three weeks to activate Evans.

Cornerback Bradley Roby was added to the Eagles’ 53-man roster in a corresponding move. Evans played every defensive snap for the Eagles in Week 5 but popped up on the injury report with the knee issue on Wednesday. He will now miss at least four games while on injured reserve. The Eagles will be down multiple starters in Week 6, though Zach Wilson is the last quarterback you would expect to take advantage of the situation. The bigger issue will be Philly’s health for Week 7 when they face the Dolphins.

The Eagles entered Week 3 missing multiple members of their secondary and this isn’t going to make things any easier for them. Most notable among the injuries is Avonte Madox landing on the injured reserve ahead of this game. Evans has started both of Philly’s games this year and has 10 total tackles.

Evans started his career in Tampa Bay, starting 21 games over his first two seasons before missing both 2019 and 2020 with a slew of injuries. New Orleans took a shot on his upside in 2022. He ultimately appeared in 15 games, four of which were starts, for the Saints a season ago. After bringing back both high profile corners but losing both safeties to free agency, the Eagles attempt to fill a relative soft spot in the secondary with an upside piece whose career has been derailed by injury. Fellow safety Reed Blankenship seemingly came out of nowhere to start four games for the Eagles in 2022, likely setting the table for a camp battle at the position unless the Eagles add another body through either free agency or the draft.

The Bucs drafted Evans in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He appeared in 24 games over his first two seasons as a pro after quickly earning a starting role. However, his third season was cut down before Week 1 because of a torn Achilles. The injury would also knock him out of the 2020 season. Tampa Bay ultimately waived him with a failed physical designation late in the season. Evans did not find a team for the 2021 season. His deal with the Saints gives him a shot at proving he is healthy and capable of making an impact after a three-season gap in his resume.

Evans hasn’t played since 2018 due to foot injuries. The 2017 second-rounder will revert to IR after he clears waivers.

Veteran OT Josh Wells was signed in a corresponding move. Evans started training camp on the PUP list with the lingering injury but was activated a couple weeks ago. It’s still a problem, and the Bucs are shelving him for at least eight weeks.

Evans underwent toe surgery back in June and had missed all of camp to this point while donning a walking boot. Now healthy, he should be good to go for Week 1 against the Niners.

Evans missed six games last season with a heel injury, but he underwent toe surgery on the opposite foot last month. It is unclear when he might be ready to return. At this point, Week 1 does not appear to be in doubt.

It was previously reported the issue was related to Evans’ toe injury that landed him on I.R. last season. Not only is that false, the new injury is to the opposite foot. Evans should be good to go well ahead of Week 1.