The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday acquired versatile linebacker Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for rookie wide receiver Brandon Gibson and a 2010 fifth-round draft pick.
Witherspoon had 36 tackles in six games with the Rams this season. The 29- year-old has played both weakside and middle linebacker during his career.
Drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2002 draft, the 6-foot-1, 239-pound Witherspoon has recorded 813 tackles, 19 sacks, and eight interceptions in 116 games.
Witherspoon was in his third season with the Rams after joining the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2006 after playing four seasons with Carolina.
“We were presented with a unique opportunity to improve our team,” said Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo. “We greatly appreciate the efforts and contributions Will has made to the Rams, both on and off the field. We wish him continued success in Philadelphia.”
The durable Witherspoon, who has missed just two games during his career, will most likely help out at the middle linebacker position for Philadelphia, which lost Stewart Bradley for the season due to an ACL injury during training camp. The Eagles have been playing Omar Gaither and Jeremiah Trotter at middle linebacker this year.
Gibson was selected in the sixth round of this year’s draft by Philadelphia. He made the team after an impressive preseason, but has been inactive for every game this season.
“Brandon is a young receiver that we have followed since training camp,” said Rams general manager Billy Devaney. “He has good size, good hands and had a very productive preseason for the Eagles. His familiarity with our offensive system should help his transition to our team.”
St. Louis has snagged two of the Eagles’ young receivers this year. The Rams signed Danny Amendola off Philadelphia’s practice squad about a month ago.
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