PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The accounting tricks continue in South Philadelphia as the Eagles created just over $5.4 million in salary-cap space by reworking Zach Ertz's contract.

The star tight end is getting a big check up front for allowing Philadelphia to spread out the cost over the remaining years of his deal.

The Eagles are creating $7.21M of Ertz's $8M 2018 base salary into a fully guaranteed roster bonus, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

The Eagles already worked out a similar restructure with All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson that created $7.5M in cap space.

In other news, veteran defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is at the NovaCare Complex today to take a physical and sign his deal with the Eagles.

Ngata agreed to terms with the Eagles during the legal-tampering period but every deal is contingent on passing at physical.

With Ngata, that's at least a little bit bigger a hurdle than usual because he's 34 and the last 11 games of his 2017 season were lost to a torn biceps.

As far as potential exits, LeGarrette Blount has scheduled a visit with the Detroit Lions on Friday, a team desperate to get a talented quarterback in Matthew Stafford some help in the running game.

The Lions, however, are kicking the tires on a number of backs. They've already visited with Jonathan Stewart, who ended up signing with the Giants, and former Eagle DeMarco Murray, while they will be hosting Frank Gore on Thursday.

Detroit's new head coach Matt Patricia is familiar with Blount from their time together in New England.

Also visiting the Lions on Thursday is Brent Celek, the longest-tenured athlete in Philadelphia before the Eagles released him earlier this week.

Celek, 33, has vowed to keep playing and Detroit makes some sense after releasing the underachieving Eric Ebron and seeing Darren Fells sign with Cleveland.

-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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