The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired LB Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams for rookie WR Brandon Gibson and a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft, the Eagles confirmed Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Witherspoon is in his 8th NFL season after being drafted by Carolina in the 3rd round in 2002. He spent his first four seasons with the Panthers before signing with the Rams prior to the 2006 season. The 6-1, 239-pound Witherspoon has played in 116 games (105 starts) and has posted 815 tackles, 19 sacks, eight interceptions, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

Witherspoon can play WLB (the position which played at for the Rams this season) or MLB (played that position in year's past with the Rams.) Witherspoon is capable of being a three-down linebacker, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday.

Witherspoon will play at MLB, a position which the Eagles have struggled with since starter Stewart Bradley went down with a torn ACL in early August. Third-year LB Omar Gaither (sprained foot) is not expected to play this Monday evening at the Washington Redskins. Gaither has been Philadelphia's starting MLB.

Witherspoon is signed through 2011 and carries base salaries of $5 million for 2010 and 2011. He's carrying a base salary of $2.5 million for 2009. A source said he Rams will take on his remaining prorated signing bonus money of $1.8 million (2010) and they already paid him a roster bonus of $1.5 million earlier this year.

As for the Rams side of the deal, Gibson will get a chance to play right away since they also run a West Coast offense as Philadelphia does. Gibson had a terrific preseason and the rookie has good size and hands.

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