Philadelphia Eagles Sign DT Antonio Dixon, Shift QB Nick Foles to Injured Reserve

A broken hand suffered by Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles last week against the Washington Redskins has paved the way for QB Michael Vick to make one final start in Eagles’ green.

It was widely assumed that Vick would not take the field for the Eagles again after he left the team’s Week 10 match-up against the Dallas Cowboys with a concussion.

Not only has Foles’ season-ending injury opened the door for Vick to make one last appearance, but it has also given another opportunity to a former Eagle.

The Eagles signed DT Antonio Dixon to a two-year deal today after Foles’ trip to the Injured Reserve (IR) opened up a roster spot. Dixon played with the Eagles from 2009 until this year’s 2012 pre-season, before he was released and subsequently signed by the Indianapolis Colts.

Dixon was then cut by the Colts before the halfway-mark of his first season with the team, and has remained a free agent until the Eagles decided to take a chance on him today.

Foles made six starts at QB for the Eagles this year in place of Vick, but the rookie proved to be wildly inconsistent. When you look back on Foles’ six-game stint, he only really had one truly impressive game, which came in Week 14 against a very weak and incredibly porous Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ secondary. Foles threw for 381 yards with two passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and zero turnovers.

Dixon is not only a presence that will physically improve the Eagles’ defense, but he is also the focus of a very real and inspiring rags-to-riches story.

After growing up in at least six different homeless shelters throughout his childhood, and dealing with two drug-addicted parents, Dixon made his mark on the football field. His troubled childhood certainly helped create the mental and psychological toughness necessary to make it to the NFL.

Before the 2013 season begins, the Eagles will almost assuredly be without head coach Andy Reid, Vick, and offensive line coach Howard Mudd, as the organization looks to completely rebuild.

But rest assured, Foles will regain his roster spot with the Eagles once his hand is healed, and looks to be the franchise’s go-to-guy at QB for the near future.

 

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