Eagles Bring Back Najee Goode

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - A day after Doug Pederson said he didn’t envision the Eagles signing a 53rd player before Sunday’s Week 1 game against Cleveland, Philadelphia did exactly that by bringing back veteran linebacker Najee Goode.

Goode has been on the yo-yo with the Eagles over the past three seasons and it’s no surprise the versatile veteran is back in South Philadelphia. He was released during the final cut for the second straight year.

The calf injury suffered by tight end Trey Burton in practice Friday likely sped up Goode’s return this time because Burton is a key part of several special-teams groups and is now questionable for Sunday’s game.

The 27-year-old Goode, who will likely be active due to his own special-teams acumen, also adds depth at linebacker and has cross-trained at all three positions.

Philadelphia plans to start Jordan Hicks in the middle with Mychal Kendricks on the weak side and Nigel Bradham at the SAM position. Veteran MIKE Stephen Tulloch also figures to mix in while the recently acquired Kamu Grugier-Hill is just a special-teams player at this point.

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