Former Eagles Defender Signs with New Team After Training Camp Injury to Ex-Philly Starter

With preseason games officially underway, most NFL teams can begin the process of making changes to their 90-man roster ahead of the cutdown deadline later this month. Over the next few weeks, teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, will be cutting players and also bringing in various guys for tryouts to see if they are a fit.

Over the last few days, we’ve seen a few former Eagles receive a tryout from different teams across the league to see if they warrant a spot. 

On Sunday morning, one of those ex-Eagles actually got signed, as he’ll be providing insurance for former Philadelphia ballhawk C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who suffered an injury earlier this week at training camp.

Former Eagle Jalen Mills Signs with Houston Texans After Preseason Week 1

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Houston Texans signed ex-Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills. Houston is in desperate need of more safety depth after seeing Gardner-Johnson go down with a knee injury, and veteran Jimmie Ward facing legal issues off the field.

The 31-year-old Mills, who made a name for himself in Philadelphia, had a tryout with Houston earlier this week. Therefore, it only makes sense for the Texans to bring him in, especially with Gardner-Johnson sidelined.

Mills spent the first five years of his career in Philadelphia, where he helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl in franchise history in 2017. 

The former seventh-round pick was a full-time starter in only his second season, where he had 64 combined tackles, 14 pass deflections, and three interceptions (one returned for a TD) in 15 starts. Mills played with an edge and lived up to the ‘Green Goblin’ moniker during the Super Bowl run.

He eventually departed Philadelphia following the 2020 season and spent the next three years with the New England Patriots. Mills joined the Patriots on a four-year, $24 million deal in free agency.

Mills was serviceable in his time in New England despite some issues in pass coverage, as he started in 34 out of 43 contests. After his time in New England ended, the ex-Eagle spent last year with the New York Jets, who initially signed him to their taxi squad.

Mills predominantly played safety, suiting up in nine games (eight starts) with the Jets. He racked up 44 combined tackles, six pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.

According to PFF, Mills wasn’t bad in run defense (68.4 grade), but left something to be desired in coverage (61.6). 

That said, given the Texans’ issues right now, if Mills can build off what he did last year in New York, the ex-Eagle could find himself on the 53-man roster. Mills is competing against vets like M.J. Stewart and Russ Yeast, who do not have nearly the same amount of starting experience that the former Eagle has, which will hopefully work in his favor.