Marlin Jackson Signs With Philadelphia

The Eagles announced Wednesday that they have signed free agent cornerback Marlin Jackson to a two-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Jackson, 26, spent his first five NFL seasons in Indianapolis. He's currently rehabbing after surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, an injury that caused him to miss all but four games in 2009. Jackson also missed 11 games in 2008 with a torn ACL in his right knee.

When he was healthy and playing, though, Jackson made major contributions to the Colts' secondary. As a cornerback, Jackson started all 16 games for Indianapolis during the 2007 season, recording 87 tackles and an interception. He had 82 tackles the previous season despite starting just eight games.

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A position move appears to be in store for Jackson as he joins Philadelphia. Jackson told Sirius NFL Radio that he will play free safety for the Eagles. That news may open the eyes of Macho Harris, who looked to be penciled in as the Eagles' starting free safety after a solid rookie season.

Despite spending his NFL career thus far at cornerback, Jackson actually played safety for one season in college at Michigan. With the Wolverines thin at the position entering Jackson's junior year, then-head coach Lloyd Carr asked Jackson to switch positions. Jackson did, but struggled mightily.

Jackson's size (6-foot-0 and 196 pounds -- compare that to Harris' 5-11 and 196) and his ability to close and tackle make him a prime candidate to slide to safety in the NFL.

The battle between Jackson and Harris could be one to watch come training camp.