Philadelphia Eagles sign DT Tim Jernigan to four-year extension

The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive tackle Tim Jernigan to a four-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.

The deal is worth $48 million, including $26 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.

Jernigan was acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in an offseason trade and has blended in well with the Eagles, particularly in tandem with standout defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

"Since the day he entered the building, Tim has been a difference-maker both on the field and around the building," the Eagles said in a statement. "He's a tough, physical, and relentless player who brings energy and enthusiasm every day. Tim possesses a lot of the qualities that we look for as we continue to build this team and we are excited about his future here in Philadelphia."

Jernigan has recorded 20 tackles for a team that leads the NFL in rushing defense at 66.4 yards per game. He has made eight tackles for losses, including 1.5 sacks.

"For three years, he had been sort of a lateral, at-the-line-of-scrimmage-type player, and he just fit what we wanted him to do, and he stuck with it. We stuck with him," Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz told reporters. "He's hard to handle now, and a lot of it's because of him attacking. He's an explosive player. He's disruptive. He plays with a lot of energy. The players feed off of him, also."

The 2014 second-round pick out of Florida State had 13 sacks in his three seasons with the Ravens.