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After three very forgettable seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, the Philadelphia Eagles have released CB Brandon Hughes.
…Crickets…
This news is hardly shocking in any way, as Hughes has done next-to-nothing in the NFL since being drafted in the fifth round by the San Diego Chargers in 2009.
After spending just two injury-riddled seasons with the Chargers, Hughes was cut, and then signed to the New York Giants’ practice squad in 2010. The Eagles signed Hughes off the Giants’ practice squad, and remained a Birds-man for the past three-and-some-odd years. Hughes was originally cut on September 7th, and re-signed on September 10th, before his final axing just yesterday.
The Eagles just simply have no place in their lineup for Hughes, as CBs Cary Williams, Brandon Boykin, Bradley Fletcher and rookie Jordan Poyer are much more competent corners. The only real reason that Hughes was considered a commodity in the first place was because of his lightning-fast 4.38 second 40-yard dash at the 2009 NFL Combine. But following multiple leg injuries, Hughes’ speed and overall talent was just never the same.
Also, Boykin is even faster and harnesses much more overall ability, making Hughes’ speed much less meaningful in the Eagles’ defensive secondary.
Unfortunately for Hughes, his constant struggles with injury could mean the bitter end to his professional football career, as few squads are willing to take a chance on an unproven, injury-plagued veteran.
Of course, there is a possibility that a team will take a chance on the 27-year-old due to his age alone, but I see nothing more than an NFL practice squad in his very questionable future.
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