Eagles Re-Sign DeMeco Ryans To One-Year Extension
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- The Philadelphia Eagles have signed linebacker DeMeco Ryans to a 1-year contract extension. The new deal will keep Ryans in Philadelphia through the 2016 season.
A two-time Pro Bowler and AP All-Pro selection, Ryans (6-1, 247) leads the Eagles in tackles (390) since being acquired by the team in a trade with the Houston Texans during the 2012 offseason. The unquestioned leader of the Eagles defense, Ryans started the first 40 games of his Philadelphia career prior to suffering a season-ending Achilles injury midway through the 2014 season at Hou. (11/2).
Ryans, 30, has recorded 390 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions, six passes defensed and one fumble recovery since joining the Eagles in 2012. He established career highs in tackles (177), sacks (four) and interceptions (two) in 2013, while helping the Eagles defense hold their opponents to 21-points-or-less in nine-consecutive games during the middle of the season.
Originally a second-round selection of the Texans in 2009, Ryans spent the first six seasons of his career in Houston, setting a franchise record with 637 total tackles while earning Pro Bowl (2007, 2009) and All-Pro (2007) accolades with the team. He was named AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 after starting 16 games and leading all rookies in tackles with 156 takedowns, adding 3.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble.
A native of Bessemer, AL, the 10-year veteran is the founder of the DeMeco Ryans Foundation, which aims to create innovative programs that provide access to educational, recreational and healthy living initiatives designed to positively aid in the development of youth.
Ryans and his wife, Jamila, reside in Philadelphia and have one son, DeMeco Jr.
