By: DAVE SPADARO
This is Buckhalter's second surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee. He was originally injured during the second preseason game of 2004 vs. Baltimore. He underwent surgery by Dr. Andrews six days later and was placed on the Injured Reserve list.
The fifth-year back suffered his injury during training camp. The injury was initially announced as a contusion of the knee. However, after a few days during which there was no apparent healing, the Eagles decided to have Buckhalter visit Dr. Andrews.
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| Correll Buckhalter and the Eagles await his test results |
Buckhalter tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the spring before the 2002 season and then bounced back with a strong 2003 campaign. He then suffered a torn patellar tendon injury during a preseason game last year against Baltimore and missed the entire season.
The Eagles signed Buckhalter to a two-year contract in March after he briefly tested free agency, and Buckhalter made solid strides in his return to the playing field.
But he suffered the injury on August 5 and hasn't played since and now, he'll face another season-long rehabilitation process.
Injury Update
Offensive guard Shawn Andrews
did not practice on Tuesday because of a bruised shoulder. He is day to day with the injury. Safety Quintin Mikell has a thigh bruise and did not work. Defensive end N.D. Kalu left practice with an illness.
Upcoming Practice Schedule
The team is practicing once per day at the NovaCare Complex. There are no press conferences scheduled for Wednesday. The team's practice is also closed to the media.
Defense Looking Good, Says J.J.
Defensive tackle Corey Simon has not yet reported, but the coaches are not focusing on him at all. In fact, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said the defense that he's seen through two preseason games has been just fine, thank you.
"I think we are playing pretty good defense right now," said Johnson. "To say I wish Corey was not here, no, I wish he was here; but he's not here and I said it before, we just move on. It's an opportunity for those other guys that are playing pretty well. We are just going to see what happens with Corey. I have no idea."
Nastier? Not Quite, Says Johnson
A lot has been made of the remark Johnson made in training camp about his interest that the defense become "nastier" this year. Johnson says he did not mean it exactly that way.
"Yeah, I don't know how that got out. One of our biggest goals is that we felt that we needed to get more turnovers," said Johnson. "All the things that we have done over the past five years with this defense, the same guys, Brian Dawkins and a lot of those guys, some of the things are very good as in points allowed.
"I just felt that one of the things that we needed to pick up, that we lacked in the Super Bowl, is turnovers. Part of that is pressuring the quarterback. Ripping the ball out like we did the other night, causing fumbles and I think that comes with the nastiness as far as a bunch of wild guys getting around the ball carriers.
"Turnovers are a big thing. We really think that over the past few years we have not done a good job. So we are emphasizing it, we talk about it and players have to believe in it too. When good things happen we can keep striving for it."
Happy Returns For Mahe?
Reno Mahe says he was "horrible" last year returning punts. He averaged 5.7 yards per return. Special teams coordinator John Harbaugh doesn't agree with that assessment.
"I wouldn't characterize it that way," said Harbaugh. "I think he had a solid year. He didn't make big plays and I think he is capable of making yards, no question about it. But that didn't happen last year, but he caught everything, held on to everything, got positive yards. That's a solid year."
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