PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - There is a reason Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry had a disappointing 2016 season after signing a big-money extension, at least according to the player himself.

"I messed my MCL up," Curry said Sunday while appearing on 94WIP Radio in Philadelphia. "I tried to play through it, and in the long run it ended up hurting me. It is going to be a better year, everything has been perfect so far."

Curry, 28, explained that he suffered the injury before the team's Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns and that it hampered him throughout out the season. The veteran did appear on the injury report prior to the Browns game with a knee issue but the was off it by Week 3 and neither Curry or the Eagles used the problem an explanation for Curry's performance in-season.

After signing a five-year, $46-million extension with Philadelphia Curry was originally earmarked as the starter at left end before he was quickly overtaken by Brandon Graham. Curry ended up playing in just 43 percent of the defensive snaps on the season, amassing just 26 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.

Now he's considered third in the defensive line rotation behind Graham and either Chris Long or rookie first-round pick Derek Barnett on the right side despite a $9 million cap hit for 2017.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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