The Philadelphia Eagles are showing increased interest in free agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard as they assess the severity of Zach Cunningham's hamstring injury, according to sources within the NFL. If Cunningham's recovery timeline extends over a significant duration, the Eagles may put forth an offer to Leonard.

Cunningham sustained the injury during the Eagles' recent overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam this morning to determine the extent of the damage.

The situation at linebacker has become precarious for the Eagles, with Nakobe Dean already on injured reserve after undergoing foot surgery two weeks ago. It is unlikely that Dean will be available to the team anytime soon. This makes the potential addition of Leonard even more crucial to Philadelphia's defensive depth.

Rumors suggest that Leonard is expected to visit the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, indicating that there is significant interest in his services from multiple teams. To gauge his interest, the Eagles reached out to Leonard and his representation over the weekend. It is likely that they will invite him to the NovaCare Complex for a physical and workout.

At the age of 28, Leonard was a former All-Pro linebacker who spent several seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. However, injuries have plagued him in recent years, leading to a decrease in playing time and his eventual release from the Colts. He cleared waivers last week, making him available as a free agent.

Cunningham has been a consistent and reliable starter for the Eagles this season. Nicholas Morrow has been playing alongside him since Dean's initial placement on injured reserve. Against the Bills, Christian Elliss filled in for Cunningham after his injury. Although Elliss had previously played some defense in the season opener, he has mainly been limited to special teams.

To bolster their ranks, the Eagles have promoted Ben VanSumeren from the practice squad in recent weeks to contribute on special teams. However, the team is still lacking depth at the linebacker position following Shaun Bradley's season-ending Achilles tendon tear during the preseason.

Although Leonard is currently the most high-profile name under consideration, the Eagles are actively exploring other options to bolster their off-ball linebacker position. The team is assessing the market in search of a suitable replacement or backup for Cunningham should his injury necessitate a more prolonged absence.

As the situation develops, the Eagles will continue to monitor Cunningham's recovery and weigh their options at off-ball linebacker. The potential addition of Shaquille Leonard could significantly impact the team's defensive lineup moving forward.