Eagles sign a defensive tackle, waive a linebacker

The Philadelphia Eagles officially signed free agent defensive tackle Willie Henry on Tuesday morning. In a corresponding roster move, the team waived linebacker Joe Bachie.

Henry, 27, has been on Philly’s radar for some time now. The Eagles actually worked him out twice during the 2019 season. One can also draw ties to how he was a 2016 fourth-round pick by the Ravens when current Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl used to work for Baltimore.

Despite meeting with the Eagles on two occasions, Henry wound up signing a futures contract with the San Francisco 49ers in January 2020 instead. He played a whopping four defensive snaps after temporarily being promoted from their practice squad last year. Prior to that, you have to go all the way back to mid-October 2018 to find Henry’s last NFL snap.

Now finally a member of the Eagles, Henry joins a defensive tackle room that includes Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Hassan Ridgeway, T.Y. McGill, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, and Raequan Williams. Henry has his work cut out for him to make the roster; he’s probably just going to be a camp body.

As for Bachie, the Eagles originally poached him off the Saints’ practice squad last season. They then beat New Orleans later that week. (Coincidence?!) Bachie figured to be a long shot to make the 2021 roster. Might’ve been worth a look to see what the 23-year-old could’ve done in the offseason, though. He might have more upside than Henry. But there’s a good chance neither player is on an NFL roster come this fall.

Henry is wearing No. 74 with the Eagles. Bachie’s departure frees up the No. 59 jersey.