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Steelers bring back Davenport to strengthen running back corps

Wed 1st, October 2008

Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought running back Najeh Davenport back into the fold after seeing starter Willie Parker and first-round draft pick Rashard Mendenhall go down in consecutive weeks.

The Steelers added Davenport and Gary Russell to their roster to shore up a running back corps depleted by a sprained knee to Parker in Pittsburgh's Week 3 loss at Philadelphia, and Mendenhall's season-ending fractured left shoulder in Monday night's overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Both players were signed to one-year contracts on Wednesday. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

The Steelers released Davenport this summer after signing free agent running back Mewelde Moore and drafting Mendenhall. Davenport rushed for 499 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season. In 67 career games with the Green Bay Packers and Steelers, Davenport has rushed for 1,788 yards and 13 touchdowns on 384 carries. He has also caught 50 passes for 484 yards and three touchdowns.

Davenport started the Steelers' final two games of last season, and their playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, after Parker broke his leg. Russell, a second-year player out of Minnesota, was released by the Steelers on September 20 and was on the club's practice squad.

The Steelers opened roster spots for the running backs after placing Mendenhall and guard Kendall Simmons on injured reserve. Simmons was also hurt in Monday's game, suffering an Achilles injury.

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