The Philadelphia Eagles added to their linebacker depth a few weeks ago by signing LaRoy Reynolds. The 27-year-old isn’t a lock to make the final roster but his chances have certainly increased recently due to Paul Worrilow suffering a season-ending ACL injury and Mychal Kendricks getting released.

In order to get to know more about Reynolds, who may end up being more important to the Eagles than originally thought, I reached out to several writers who used to cover him: Dave Choate from The Falcoholic, Ryan Day from Big Cat Country, and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. from Windy City Gridiron.

Here’s a snapshot of Reynolds’ career via Pro Football Reference.

FALCONS PERSPECTIVE

1) Can you sum up his career with the Falcons?

He was a core special teamer during his time in Atlanta, and a useful reserve who served as a backup both at inside and outside linebacker, though he spent more time in the middle. He notched several special teams tackles over the last couple of seasons and recovered two fumbles in last year’s playoffs, including one against you guys. The Falcons have loaded up at linebacker via the draft, but Reynolds was arguably their most useful reserve over the past couple of seasons.

2) What are his strengths?

His tenacity. Reynolds is a good but not special athlete, but he has good instincts, takes good angles to the ball, and tackles well. He also simply does not give up on plays, as is evinced by his fumble recoveries in Atlanta. As a linebacker, he’s solid against the run, and certainly didn’t embarrass himself when pressed into action on early downs.

3) What are his weaknesses?

I would say coverage, as he’s not particularly gifted in that regard. If you need him to stick with a tight end or running back for any length of time--especially more athletic ones--he’s not going to be extremely successful there.

4) On a scale of 1-10, how screwed are the Eagles if he has to play meaningful defensive snaps? (10 being most screwed).

I would say about a 5, I guess. When he filled in for Atlanta, Reynolds did fine work and was rarely if ever an active liability. You don’t want to ask him to be on an island in coverage for any length of time, as I mentioned above, but if he needed to fill in for a few weeks he wouldn’t kill your defense.

5) Anything to know about him off the field?

Reynolds has a deserved reputation as a strong veteran presence who can fire up a locker room, and he’s a great influence to have around for younger linebackers and special teamers.

BONUS INFORMATION

Dave also said that “I think he could be a nice pickup for you guys, regretfully.”

For more insight, be sure to check out his “The case for and against the Falcons keeping LaRoy Reynolds in 2018” post he wrote back in February.

JAGUARS PERSPECTIVE

1) Can you sum up his career with the Jaguars?

LaRoy Reynolds was an undrafted guy who wouldn’t have made the team except for the fact that this roster was awful in 2013. He’s a special teams guy through and through who got some looks at the strongside linebacker position when then starter Dekoda Watson was sidelined with an injury. He got some looks at all three linebacker spots and he flashed, but his suspension in his rookie year derailed anything he might have gotten going.

2) What are his strengths?

He’s fast for his size. That was something that always stood out. He’s a good tackler. He’s a natural special teams guy. He recovered an onside kick in the Super Bowl. He can do a few things very well and he obviously works hard to find that niche on a team year in and year out.

3) What are his weaknesses?

While he’s a fine special teams player, but that’s pretty much his peak. He’s fast, but not fast enough for starters. He’s a good tackler, but he’s not going to be able to run down a guy. He will flash if he’s asked to go in with the starters, but he’s inconsistent.

4) On a scale of 1-10, how screwed are the Eagles if he has to play meaningful defensive snaps? (10 being most screwed).

Probably around a 7 or 8. He’s a swing linebacker and put in some time at all three linebacker positions, but he’s not particularly good at any of them. If he’s being used solely as a special teams guy, great. He’s fearless, he’s fast, he’ll tackle people without his helmet on. But if you’re giving him meaningful snaps on the defense, he’s going to be a liability.

5) Anything to know about him off the field?

Other than his PED suspension, not really. He does charity work but he didn’t do any as far as I remember in Jacksonville -- but he left the team a few years ago so I could be remembering wrong.

BEARS PERSPECTIVE

1 - What are your thoughts on Reynolds’ brief Bears career?

LaRoy Reynolds is just a guy. He’s a career backup, but he’s a solid special teamer. He started one game at inside backer for the Bears in 2015, but he played nearly half of their special teams snaps that year. I don’t know the Eagles roster inside and out like you do, but my guess is he’ll be in a battle for a roster spot with some younger developmental prospects. They’ll need to determine if they want to keep a 27-year old who is solid in the 3rd phase, or go with a younger player they could develop into a part of their defense.