National Football League

Eagles Notes: Eagles swap backup running backs with Browns

Published Oct. 14, 2010 10:15 a.m. ET

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If you only take Jerome Harrison's 2009 statistics into account, the Eagles got themselves an 862-yard rusher when they acquired the running back Wednesday.

Of course, the Cleveland Browns could also feel good about the running back they received in return. Mike Bell rushed for 654 yards a season ago for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.

But both Bell and Harrison, for whatever the reason, became marginalized this season and were ineffective in brief action for their respective teams. Bell, signed as a restricted free agent in the off-season, gained just 28 yards on 16 carries, while Harrison ran only 31 times for 91 yards.

"A change of scenery might be good for both players," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "Mike Bell can fit their scheme. They're looking for a downhill runner between the tackles. . . . For us, Jerome, he's a quicker guy, he's athletic, [and] he can catch the football."

The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Harrison caught 34 passes for 220 yards a season ago along with his 862 yards rushing. A league-high 561 of those yards came in the final three games of the season, including a 286-yard effort against the Kansas City Chiefs that stands as third best in league history.

Although Cleveland does not play in a West Coast-style offense as the Eagles do, Roseman said that he expected Harrison to be a quick study. Bell never quite fit into the Eagles' offense, in part, the general manager said, because starting back LeSean McCoy became so prominent.

Roseman said that the Eagles envisioned Bell's being a complement to McCoy. Bell, though, had problems blocking and catching balls out of the backfield.

With Bell gone, only three players remain of the Eagles' off-season additions from the beginning of free agency to the start of the draft. Wide receiver Chad Hall (free agency), defensive end Darryl Tapp (trade), and linebacker Ernie Sims (trade) are still on the roster.

Safety Marlin Jackson (free agency) was lost for the season in May when he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Linebacker Alex Hall (trade) was released during training camp. Wide receiver Hank Baskett (free agency) was waived last month. And now Bell is out.

Bunkley better Two days after saying Brodrick Bunkley could be lost for the season with an elbow injury that would require surgery, Eagles coach Andy Reid said that the defensive tackle wouldn't need an operation and could eventually "get out there and give it a try."

Bunkley received a second opinion from orthopedic specialist James Andrews after team doctor Peter DeLuca's initial diagnosis, Reid said, and will have the opportunity to rehabilitate the elbow.

Reid did say, however, that it would be a "stretch" for Bunkley to play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. If Bunkley can't go, Trevor Laws and Antonio Dixon will rotate in at defensive tackle along with starter Mike Patterson.

In other injury news, Reid said that cornerback Asante Samuel joined wide receiver Riley Cooper, both out against the 49ers with concussions, in being cleared to return to practice. Cooper, however, was a limited participant in Wednesday's session.

McCoy (ribs) and guard Todd Herremans (knee) did not practice, but Reid said that both would probably return Thursday.

Extra points Tight end Brent Celek pleaded mea culpa for the two or three passes he possibly could have caught Sunday. "They're tough catches, but they're catches I've made in the past," he said. "I don't think there's an explanation. I got a bruised wrist, but that doesn't stop me from catching the ball." . . . Reid said that DeSean Jackson is still his No. 1 punt returner even though the receiver the Eagles could not afford to lose to injury banged up his knee during a return against San Francisco. "I'm leaving that statement open," Reid said, noting that Jorrick Calvin has been, and will remain, an option in the return game. . . . In light of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley's troubles in covering tight ends, Reid did not rule out using Akeem Jordan, who lost his starting strong-side linebacker spot to Moise Fokou last week, in nickel situations.