The Philadelphia Eagles added a much-needed reinforcement for his or her banged-up secondary, buying security Kevin Byard in a commerce with the Tennessee Titans on Monday.
The Eagles despatched security Terrell Edmunds plus two draft picks — 2024 fifth- and sixth-round alternatives — to the Titans.
The commerce marks a homecoming for Byard, who was born in Philadelphia and has named former Eagles nice Brian Dawkins as certainly one of his favourite gamers.
Byard took to social media to thank the Titans group and the workforce’s followers and categorical his pleasure at becoming a member of the Eagles.
💙, KB pic.twitter.com/cHEm3bBgwF
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) October 23, 2023
With that being mentioned… @Eagles it is up!! 🦅🦅 #FlyEaglesFly
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) October 23, 2023
Byard will rejoin former Titans teammate A.J. Brown, the star large receiver who was acquired by the Eagles from Tennessee through the 2022 draft.
Security was the most important query mark on a talent-rich Eagles roster coming into the season, and people questions grew following a rash of accidents on the place. Reed Blankenship missed the workforce’s victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night time due to a rib harm, whereas Justin Evans is at present on injured reserve due to a knee harm.
The Eagles are excessive on rookie third-round decide Sydney Brown, who began towards the high-octane Dolphins and acquitted himself properly, however he nonetheless wants time to develop.
Byard has 27 interceptions since being drafted by the Titans in 2016. He was named a first-team All-Professional in 2017 and 2021 and completed the 2022 season with 108 tackles and 4 interceptions. He has 47 tackles in six video games this season.
Byard, 30, has by no means missed a sport in eight seasons with the Titans. He was a captain for 4 consecutive seasons and is a homegrown product, having been drafted within the third spherical from Center Tennessee State, the place his jersey is retired.
“I wish to thank Kevin for what he means to me personally and to this workforce,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel mentioned. “After I arrived, he helped carry a brand new message into the locker room and set up the mindset and work ethic we have been making an attempt to instill all through the workforce. His play on the sphere speaks for itself. An clever and athletic participant, he has led the secondary and helped us win a variety of video games. Kevin and [wife] Clarke and the youngsters imply an awesome deal to me, and I want them success in all that’s in entrance of them.”
The Titans sit on the backside of the AFC South with a 2-4 document and can probably be with out beginning quarterback Ryan Tannehill after they take the sphere towards the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. There’s nonetheless a risk that All-Professional working again Derrick Henry is traded as properly.
“We might all the time take into account making an attempt to strengthen the workforce,” Vrabel mentioned final week, “whether or not that is proper now, this week or sooner or later.”
ESPN’s Tim McManus and Turron Davenport contributed to this report.
