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Doug Pederson has insisted the Philadelphia Eagles don't need to look for external help when it comes to replacing Lane Johnson, who is potentially facing a 10-game suspension, at right tackle. Despite this assertion, however, the Eagles have reportedly reached out to veteran free agent offensive tackle Will Beatty.
I'm told a healthy Will Beatty worked out for Jags yesterday and was offered a contract. He and reps are mulling the offer.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) August 13, 2016
Also, Philly has reached out to Beatty as well as they await a decision on Lane Johnson appeal. No workout there yet.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) August 13, 2016
The Eagles' interest in Beatty is yet another sign the team expects Johnson to serve the suspension.
As for Beatty, the 31-year-old has an extensive injury history. The former New York Giants tackle missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a torn pectoral injury last year. Then he suffered a torn rotator cuff while rehabbing from the pectoral injury. The G-Men released Beatty, who started 63 games for New York over six seasons, earlier this year.
Beatty would be something of a stopgap for the Eagles, similar to how Philadelphia tried to replace an injured Jason Peters with Demetress Bell in 2012. Of course, the Eagles would be hoping for better results than that disaster of an experiment.
Signing an aging and recently injured player such as Beatty carries risk, but the Eagles just might be desperate enough to do it. It's a situation worth keeping an eye on for now.