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The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly interested in Detroit Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead.

(Melanie Maxwell | MLive.com)

Tahir Whitehead could be setting up for a homecoming of sorts. The Detroit Lions linebacker, and former Temple University standout, is drawing interest from the Philadelphia Eagles just days before he's set to become a free agent, according to an NJ.com report.

A fifth-round draft pick for the Lions in 2012, Whitehead has developed from a special teams standout to a versatile linebacker capable of starting on the outside or in the middle.

He emerged as a key contributor for the Lions in 2014, taking over the starting middle linebacker job following Stephen Tulloch's season-ending ACL injury in Week 3.

Projected as the team's starting strongside backer entering last season, Whitehead initially worked a timeshare with Travis Lewis before taking over the bulk of the snaps down the stretch.

The athletic Whitehead finished the year with 50 tackles, two sacks and six pass breakups.

The interest from Philadelphia makes sense. The Eagles are moving to a 4-3 defense under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, recently released veteran DeMeco Ryans and traded Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins.

Schwartz was the Lions coach when the team drafted Whitehead.

Detroit still has several linebackers under contract, but only two, DeAndre Levy and Josh Bynes, who are proven starters. If they lose Whitehead in free agency, it could lead to a bigger role for Kyle Van Noy, the team's second-round draft pick from 2014.

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