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The Detroit Lions have a defensive line problem, and it just got a little worse. ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that veteran defensive tackle Haloit Ngata is signing a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Former Lions’ DT Haloti Ngata intends to sign a one-year deal with Eagles, per @mortreport and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
Back in January, Ngata expressed interest in coming back to Detroit, but that was before the Lions hired Matt Patricia as their new head coach and overhauled nearly their entire coaching staff.
Ngata served as an adequate replacement for Ndamukong Suh when the Lions lost him in the 2015 free agency period. In three years, Ngata totaled 53 tackles and 6.0 sacks in 32 games played. However, it was during his absences that his impact was felt the most.
Specifically, the Lions struggled in 2017 after Ngata tore his bicep in Week 5. Prior to the injury, the Lions were allowing just 74.6 rushing yards per game. After losing Ngata for the season, the Lions allowed 129.7 rushing yards per game.
However, Ngata just turned 34 years old and the Lions need to get younger and fresher at the position. The Lions have already been rumored to be targeting Eagles defensive tackle Beau Allen, who fits a similar profile to Ngata, but is only 26 years old. If the Lions land him, they will have done a nice little DT swap with Philly.
UPDATE: The Detroit Free Press is reporting that this is not yet a done deal:
Quick update on the Haloti Ngata to Eagles: I'm told that deal is not done yet, but that there has been talk of him visiting.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) March 13, 2018
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