|  For
the third time in four seasons, and for a second straight
year, Philadelphia Eagles tailback Correll Buckhalter
has undergone season-ending knee surgery. The fifth-year
veteran, whose career could be ended by his latest injury,
underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a torn right patella
tendon. He had surgery on the same tendon last year
after sustaining an injury in preseason. Early in camp,
he re-injured the knee, and an examination Monday by
noted Birmingham, Ala.-based orthopedic surgeon Dr.
James Andrews revealed the new tear. Team officials
last week conceded to ESPN.com that they were concerned
about the latest injury and broadly hinted it could
be season-ending. Andrews had recommended earlier that
Buckhlalter receive treatment and rehabilitation on
the knee for a week and then have it re-examined. Espn.com
Promising Vikings RB Mewelde Moore might be the best
fit for the offense, but Michael Bennett is holding
on to the starting job. Bennett's lackluster performance
in the first preseason game was attributed to shoddy
OL play. The attention given Moore and rookie Ciatrick
Fason for strong statistical outings wasn't lost on
the coaching staff, but neither player has done enough
to unseat Bennett.
Tim Rattay will be the San Francisco 49ers' starting
quarterback for the season opener, reclaiming his job
from No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith after just two preseason
games. Coach Mike Nolan announced the decision Tuesday
at the conclusion of the 49ers' first full practice
following the death of offensive lineman Thomas Herrion,
who collapsed in the locker room in Denver on Saturday
night.With a memorial service scheduled for the evening,
the players and coaches seemed grateful to focus on
something other than their grief and mourning
Posted
by Ray Wednesday |
