Alshon Jeffery Opted Against 2017 Surgery
- Out until at least training camp because of rotator cuff surgery, Alshon Jeffery was confronted with the possibility of this surgery occurring last summer and nullifying his 2017 season. Having just signed a one-year Eagles deal and eyeing a big payday, Jeffery did not think that arrangement was going to work for him. “I was like, ‘No, there’s no way you’re going to do that,” Jeffery said (via Les Bowen of Philly.com) of a 2017 surgery. “We got to figure out another situation.'” Despite playing through a significant shoulder malady, Jeffery caught 57 passes for 789 yards and nine touchdowns. He added three more TDs in the playoffs.
Latest On Michael Bennett
New Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett was indicted on the felony charge of injury to the elderly, but the player’s lawyer says the true story will soon be heard.
Colts Sign LB Najee Goode
The Colts announced that they have signed linebacker Najee Goode. Goode spent the last five years with the Eagles. 
Goode has 64 career appearances to his credit, not counting four postseason games, but only four starts. He also projects to serve in a reserve role for the Colts.
Goode saw the most snaps of his career in 2017 as he registered 19 tackles (12 solo) and three tackles for loss. He also started in the NFC Championship Game for the eventual world champs.
The Colts saw linebackers Jonathan Bostic and Barkevous Mingo leave in free agency, so Goode will help to fill one of those holes. John Simon and Antonio Morrison figure to start at two of the three LB spots in the Colts’ 4-3 scheme and they’re expected to look at outside linebackers in this month’s draft.
Donnie Jones Wants To Continue Playing
The Eagles released punter Donnie Jones from the reserve/retired list on Wednesday for a reason. The veteran requested his release in order to continue his playing career, agent Ken Harris tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
A few weeks after the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, Jones announced that he would retire after 14 seasons in the NFL. The Eagles seem prepared to move forward with Cameron Johnston, so Jones will explore his opportunities elsewhere.
Jones, who will turn 38 in July, was solid in 2017 as he ranked 15th in yards per punt average and 16th in net average. He also placed 35.1% of his punts inside of the 20-yard line.
Eagles Release Punter Donnie Jones From Reserve/Retired List
[UPDATE: Jones wants to continue his career.]
The Eagles have released punter Donnie Jones from the reserve/retired list, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Jones decided to walk away from football following the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory, but it’s worth noting that he is technically a free agent if he decides to play again. 
“After 14 seasons in the NFL, I have decided to retire so that I can spend more time with my family,” Jones said in a statement this winter. “I am grateful for all those who have supported me throughout the years. Specifically, I would like to thank Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson, and the entire Eagles organization for allowing me to be a part of their family for the past five seasons. I will truly miss my teammates, coaches, friends, and the best fans in the NFL. Although I am retiring, I will always be an Eagle and will forever have a special place in my heart for the City of Philadelphia. It is a great honor to be a part of the first Super Bowl championship team in Eagles history and there is no better way to finish my career.”
Jones moved around the league since being drafted by the Seahawks late in the 2004 draft, but he had a strong career overall. After two seasons with the Dolphins, five seasons with the Rams, and one year with the Texans, he hooked on with the Eagles in 2013 and found his place in the franchise’s record books over the course of five seasons. Jones stands as the Eagles’ all-time leader in gross punting average (45.37 yards) and net average (40.5). He also owns team records for most punts inside the 20 (138), most punts inside the 20 in a single season (34, 2014), and best net punting average in a season (41.6, 2015).
With Jones out of the picture, Cameron Johnston projects to be the Eagles’ punter in 2018.
Eagles Sign TE Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers will be heading east, agreeing to a deal with the Eagles. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets this is a one-year agreement between the defending Super Bowl champions and the former Packers tight end. The team has since confirmed the deal via press release.
Rodgers will join Zach Ertz in Philadelphia and, for now, is in line to replace Brent Celek, whom the Eagles released last month. Celek could still be brought back at a cheaper rate after the loss of Trey Burton in free agency.
Rodgers, 26, put himself on the map in 2015 when he caught 58 passes from Aaron Rodgers. His role in the Packers’ offense waned over the next couple of years, however. In 2016, he had just 30 catches for 271 yards. Last year, he had just 12 grabs for 160 yards. Depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out, he may get an opportunity to shine in two tight end sets along with Ertz.
Billy Brown, Joshua Perkins, and Adam Zaruba are also fighting to make the Eagles’ final cut at tight end, but they could be facing long odds between the addition of Rodgers and the likely selection of a rookie tight end in this month’s draft.
Eagles To Sign LB Paul Worrilow
The Eagles have agreed to terms with free agent linebacker Paul Worrilow, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s a one-year deal, per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).
Worrilow, 27, played on the majority of the Falcons’ snaps from 2013-15, but has since been relegated to backup duty. A former undrafted free agent, Worrilow spent the 2017 campaign with the Lions, where he started eight games but saw only 25% playtime, third-most among Detroit linebackers. Instead, most of his action came on special teams, where Worrilow played more than 60% of the Lions’ snaps. All told, Worrilow managed 20 tackles, one fumble recovery, and one pass defensed during his lone season in the Motor City.
Philadelphia ranked 16th in special teams DVOA a season ago, and the club has since added reserve linebackers with ST experience. Worrilow joins fellow free agent addition Corey Nelson and incumbent Kamu Grugier-Hill as ‘backers who will see most of their time on special teams, as Nigel Bradham, Jordan Hicks, and Mychal Kendricks are currently projected to start in the Eagles’ base 4-3 defense.
An Eagles Trade For Rob Gronkowski Or Odell Beckham Is Unlikely
- In his Eagles mailbag, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advanced Media shot down the team potentially trying to acquire Beckham or Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in a trade. In both instances, the Eagles available cap space would make a deal unlikely. In Beckham’s case, especially, it’s unlikely the Giants would deal Beckham to a divisional rival.
CB Mike Hughes Generating Interest From Several Teams
Cornerback Mike Hughes is generating a lot of interest headed into the draft. Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com writes that the UCF product met with the Panthers and Saints yesterday at the school’s pro day. The prospect is also set to visit the Bears, Eagles, Vikings, Packers, Buccaneers, and Chiefs, and he’ll meet again with Carolina.
During the pro day, Hughes ultimately “stood on his combine numbers,” but the defensive back did do several drills (including fielding punts). The general consensus was that the prospect looked better yesterday than he did at the NFL Combine.
Hughes, who is currently ranked 18th in NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah‘s listing of the top-50 free agents, had a breakout campaign in 2017. After playing in only 10 games with North Carolina between 2015 and 2016, Hughes appeared in 13 games with UCF last season. He ultimately finished the campaign with 37 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and four interceptions.
Considering the Panthers met with Hughes yesterday and plan on hosting him for a visit, we can only assume that the organization has serious interest in the prospect. Even with Ross Cockrell now in the mix, the team is apparently still seeking reinforcement at the cornerback position.
Chargers To Sign DB Jaylen Watkins
Former Eagles defensive back Jaylen Watkins is signing with the Chargers, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal for the versatile defender. 
Watkins has the ability to play both cornerback and safety, but he’s likely to play safety for the Bolts, JLC hears. He’ll be a bench piece for the Chargers, but it’s not clear who he’ll be backing up at free safety. Last year’s starter Tre Boston is floating in free agent limbo and it doesn’t sound like the Chargers have much interest in retaining him.
Watkins has been a regular contributor for Philadelphia over the last two years with 28 regular season games and 51 total tackles in that span. In 2017, he saw most of his playing time on special teams while playing on only 170 defensive snaps. He was not a star for the Eagles, but teammates recognized his value as a jack of all trades.