PHILADELPHIA (March 2, 2005) -- Oft-injured running back Correll Buckhalter agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFC champs opened free agency by bringing back one of their own.
Buckhalter, who tore the patella tendon in his right knee in an August preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, is coming off his second season-ending knee injury in three years. He lost the entire 2002 season to a torn ligament in his left knee sustained during the team's first minicamp. But when healthy, he's posted solid numbers for the Eagles.
"Correll has been a very productive back in our offense and we're glad to have him back in the mix," head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "His rehabilitation process is going well and we expect him to contribute during the 2005 season."
Between those two injuries, Buckhalter helped the Eagles to the NFC Championship game in 2003 as a member of a rushing attack that also included the now-departed Duce Staley and restricted free agent Brian Westbrook. Buckhalter rushed for 542 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per carry that season.
Buckhalter, the Eagles' fourth-round draft choice out of Nebraska in 2001, set a team rookie record with 586 yards on 129 carries. For his career, he's rushed for 1,128 yards and 10 TDs on 255 carries and caught 23 passes for 263 yards and one score.
