Trotter rejoins the Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles have signed veteran linebacker Jeremiah Trotter to help shore up their run defense.

Trotter, 32, a third-round draft choice by the Eagles in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Stephen F. Austin State, was out of football in 2008 because of knee aliments. But he impressed Coach Andy Reid when he worked out twice in the past week and passed a team physical.

The 6-foot-1 inch, 262-pound Trotter also has played for Washington in his 10-year career and has made at least 100 tackles in five of his seven seasons with the Eagles.

He has 12 1/2 sacks and nine interceptions and has been a Pro Bowl selection twice.

"I never thought I'd be back, (but) I'm in great shape. I'm healthy," Trotter told the Philadelphia Inquirer Tuesday,

To make room on their roster, the Eagles released veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia.