BREAKING: Philadelphia Eagles Sign LB Shaquille Leonard - Details

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard, beating out the Dallas Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard to a one-year deal, the team announced Monday.

Leonard visited the Eagles last week, who found themselves in a tug-of-war battle with the Dallas Cowboys for the right to sign Leonard, who was waived by the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 21 after spending his first six NFL seasons with the team.

But now for his first game as an Eagle, Leonard will suit up against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night when Philadelphia (10-2) and Dallas (9-3) clash for a pivotal game that could hold NFC No. 1 seed implications.

Shaquille Leonard / © Jenna Watson, The Indianapolis Star

The Colts’ recent waiving of Leonard came as a sudden surprise to many. The three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro has been one of the league’s best linebacker since his rookie season with Indianapolis in 2018. That season, he led the league in tackles (163) as a rookie before winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In 70 career games, Leonard has posted 614 total tackles, 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, 12 interceptions, 31 passes defended and one touchdown.

Now with Philly, Leonard will bolster a defense that already features a deep front seven with Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat along with linebackers Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow.

However, the Philly defense will need to pick up the pieces after Sunday's embarrassing 42-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at home. But despite suffering arguably their worst loss in over two years, the Eagles could have a chance to essentially wrap up a second straight NFC East crown with a win over Dallas, assuming that Philadelphia doesn't completely collapse to end the season.

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