Report: Eagles DE Trent Cole underwent hand surgery

The 2012 season was the worst performance by Eagles defensive end Trent Cole since he entered the league in 2005. Now, we might know one reason why.

USA Today reports that Cole underwent hand surgery this week. The newspaper writes that “it wasn't a major operation but could sideline Cole for a portion of the spring.”

Apparently, Cole had been dealing with the hand issue for more than a year. That might explain why he only accumulated three sacks and 40 total tackles in 16 games in 2012; he had averaged 10.8 sacks per season from 2006-11.

Cole's disappointing performance dove-tailed with the loss of production from fellow defensive end Jason Babin -- who was released by the team in November -- and the firing of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo in another disappointing season, which ended with long-time coach Andy Reid being fired.

In other Eagles news, new coach Chip Kelly announced his entire coaching staff on Friday. As previously reported, that includes former Browns head coach Pat Shurmur as the offensive coordinator and Bill Davis as the defensive coordinator.

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