PHILADELPHIA -- On Tuesday, Chip Kelly said the Philadelphia Eagles were "looking to bring another guy in right now" to replace injured Travis Long on the roster.
On Wednesday, the Eagles did in fact bring another guy in. Outside linebacker Diaheem Watkins, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound prospect from the University of Alabama-Birmingham is expected at practice Thursday.
Watkins was not drafted in May. He had a tryout as a defensive end with the Detroit Lions, but was not signed. The Eagles selected one linebacker, inside linebacker Jordan Hicks of Texas, in this year's draft.
Long was expected to make the Eagles' roster last summer before he tore his left ACL. He tore the ACL in the same knee Monday during a punt return drill.
With Long going on season-ending injured reserve, the Eagles are a bit thin at outside linebacker. Starters Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham are set. Last year's first-round pick, Marcus Smith, will compete for the primary backup role. Kelly said that Brandon Hepburn and Brad Jones, normally inside linebackers, would move outside at times.
Coming out of UAB, Watkins was regarded primarily as a pass-rusher. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.88 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
