The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive end AJ Epenesa on Wednesday, picking up a player the Cleveland Browns rejected after a March physical. Cleveland had agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million on March 18 but withdrew the offer 11 days later, leaving the 27-year-old veteran without a team until Philadelphia stepped in.

Epenesa spent six seasons with the Buffalo Bills as a second-round pick in 2020, appearing in 91 games with 19 starts. His production dipped sharply last season — just 2.5 sacks across 16 games after totaling 19 over the previous three years — though he remained disruptive with two interceptions and a knack for batting passes, now 14 for his career.

The Eagles also added guard Michael Jordan and waived linebackers Chandler Martin and Isiah King on Wednesday. For Philadelphia, Epenesa provides rotational depth behind starters Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, and his postseason experience — 14 games, three quarterback hits, three batted passes — could matter in January.

Whether the Browns' medical staff spotted something that Philadelphia's did not remains the open question, but the Eagles are betting a change of scheme revives a pass rusher who still wins with his hands.