A league source has confirmed that the Eagles are hosting former Buffalo Bills left tackle Demetrius Bell at the NovaCare Complex on Saturday, one day after the team announced that All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters would undergo surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon on April 2 and that his 2012 season is in jeopardy.
UPDATE: Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News reported on Twitter that Bell left Philadelphia on Sunday without a deal. The two sides could still work out a deal in the coming days.
Bell has attracted quite a bit of interest in this free-agency period after four seasons in Buffalo. He took over the starting left tackle job, ironically, when the Eagles acquired Peters in a trade with Buffalo prior to the 2009 draft. Should Bell sign with the Eagles, he would again be in position to replace Peters.
There are no indications at this point that Bell will sign with the Eagles. Bell reportedly visited the Steelers on Friday and left Pittsburgh without a contract. He has also been linked to other teams, including Arizona.
Why has a 6 feet 5, 311-pound athletic left tackle been available for three weeks in free agency without signing? A shoulder injury limited Bell to just seven games and six starts in 2011 after he started all 16 games in 2010. Teams are reportedly reluctant to commit big dollars to Bell, but he is still a talented player who might have a chance to play his best football under the tutelage of offensive line coach Howard Mudd.
We will keep you informed on PhiladelphiaEagles.com as news develops.
