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Safety O.J. Atogwe's move to Eagles not done yet

Hold the phone on O.J. Atogwe. Despite a report that the Eagles have signed the safety, league sources said that a deal has not yet been finalized.

The Eagles could be close to signing veteran safety O.J. Atogwe. (AP Photo)
The Eagles could be close to signing veteran safety O.J. Atogwe. (AP Photo)Read more

Hold the phone on O.J. Atogwe.

Although a report said the Eagles had signed the safety, NFL sources said that both sides were talking but that a deal had not been finalized as of Tuesday evening.

Sportsnet Canada first reported that Atogwe and the Eagles had agreed to a deal. The free-agent safety then said in a text message, according to ESPN Radio 980 in Washington, that he had signed with the Eagles.

While that eventually may be the case, an agreement had not yet been reached.

Washington released Atogwe in March, a year after he signed a five-year deal with the Redskins. He recorded three interceptions in seven starts last season, picking off Eagles quarterback Vince Young once.

If Atogwe lands in Philadelphia, he will supplement a safety group that is young and relatively unproven. Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman, now in their third years, are the starters. The Eagles hope that Jaiquawn Jarrett, drafted in the second round a year ago, can push Coleman in training camp.

Atogwe, who will turn 31 on Saturday, played in only 13 games last season as he battled hamstring and toe injuries. In 2009, he played in 12 games until he suffered a season-ending dislocated shoulder.

Atogwe made his mark in St. Louis. In six seasons with the Rams, he made 22 interceptions and forced 16 fumbles. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound Atogwe was drafted by the Rams in 2005, in the third round out of Stanford.

The Eagles have tried to add veteran depth to their safety group this offseason. They flirted briefly with former Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who eventually signed with the New York Jets. And they made an offer to former Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell, who also chose the Jets.

The Eagles have the maximum of 90 players and would have to make a roster move if they were to add Atogwe.