Jamar

Chaney

Chaney was out of the league for most of last year. The 28-year-old is unlikely to save Oakland’s shreddable run defense.

The teams will also exchange third-round picks, with the Eagles moving back 12 spots. A Pro Bowl middle linebacker early in his career, Ryans wasn’t was as suited to the weak-side interior in Wade Phillips 3-4 scheme. After a slow start in returning from Achilles surgery, Ryans came on stronger late in the season. He fills a major need in Philadelphia, where Andy Reid’s squad has long been in need of a three-down tackling machine in the middle. Jamar Chaney (neck surgery) will move back outside. Considering Ryans $5.9 million salary, the Texans’ haul was as much as could reasonably be expected.

Brian Rolle will stay on the weak side, leaving Akeem Jordan as the odd man out. Chaney will likely give way to Casey Matthews or Keenan Clayton on passing downs, limiting his production in IDP formats. Chaney expects to be recovered from neck surgery by training camp.

Chaney jumped the gun when he declared himself 100 percent in late April. Chaney’s absence means No. 46 pick Mychal Kendricks will operate as the Eagles’ first-string SAM linebacker in next month’s minicamp. Kendricks is the favorite to win the job in training camp.

Chaney admitted he doesn’t know whether he’s still Philly’s starting strong-side linebacker, a position that could be affected by Friday’s draft picks. Chaney was penciled in at “Sam” after the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans.

Early speculation ticketed Kendricks for the weak side, but beat writer Jeff McLane believes he’s the favorite over Jamar Chaney at SAM. Per McLane, the Eagles “love” Kendricks’ pass-rushing ability. McLane thinks Chaney would then “get a shot” on the weak side, but also that Casey Matthews might be given one more chance to establish himself as a starter. Either way, Kendricks should have a starting job come Week 1.

Chaney insists the neck fusion procedure was elective, and he’s already working out in the weight room. “It’s coming along pretty good now,” said Chaney. “By the end of this month, maybe next month, I should be back to myself 100 percent.”

Chaney was injured on an attempted tackle of Evan Royster and immediately went to the locker room for further evaluation. It is believed he may have suffered a ''stinger.’' His return is questionable.

“When you’re 4-8 and not playing defense the way you’re supposed to, they’re going to make changes,” explained Chaney. Matthews hadn’t played on defense since his early-season benching. The Matthews-Keenan Clayton pair is the fourth different nickel combo for Philly this season.

Chaney suffered the injury in the season finale, when he was checked for a concussion and initially believed to have sustained a stinger. There’s not yet a recovery timetable, though a herniated disk is no small injury for a sideline-to-sideline linebacker involved in up to a dozen collisions per game. Although Chaney led the Eagles in tackles, he graded out below average in Pro Football Focus’ 2011 ratings.