Eagles sign a tackle

The Eagles have signed tackle Thomas Welch off waivers from the St. Louis Rams.

Welch, 24, played in eight games last season, five with the Rams and three with the New England Patriots. His only start was as an extra tight end for New England.

Welch was originally a Patriots seventh-round pick in 2010, but he spent most of that year on the Vikings' practice squad.

Welch joins King Dunlap, D.J. Jones, and fifth-round pick Dennis Kelly as the team's backup tackles heading into offseason practices.