RB Warrick Dunn returns to Buccaneers

Published 11:37 pm Monday, March 10, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. — Six years after leaving the franchise he helped turn into a Super Bowl contender, running back Warrick Dunn is coming back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection signed Monday with the Bucs, who needed to bolster their running game because Carnell “Cadillac” Williams missed most of last season with a knee injury. There are also lingering questions about when Williams will be able to play again.

Dunn, 33, played the first five seasons of his career with Tampa Bay, establishing himself as one of the league’s top all-around backs. He was integral, along with Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, John Lynch and Mike Alstott, in transforming the Bucs from perennial losers to a championship team.

Tampa Bay, which reached the NFC championship game with Dunn in 1999, won its only NFL title the year he left. The Bucs have since missed the playoffs three of five seasons.

Tampa Bay also signed tight end Ben Troupe.

RAMS: Trent Green, who ended last season on injured reserve after his second concussion in 13 months, agreed to terms on a three-year contract with St. Louis.

In his second stint with the Rams, Green will be the backup behind Marc Bulger. He was supposed to be the starter in 1999 before a preseason knee surgery paved the way for Kurt Warner, who led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory.

Green was released by the Dolphins last month. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001-06, starting every game the first five seasons and the first game of 2006 for a franchise-record 81-game streak.

STEELERS: Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.

Harrison was arrested Saturday after hitting 29-year-old Beth Tibbott at her home in Ohio Township, according to a police affidavit.

Harrison, of Franklin Park, was arraigned on charges of simple assault and criminal mischief. The 29-year-old was released on his own recognizance pending a preliminary hearing Thursday.

SAINTS: Tight end Eric Johnson agreed to a one-year contract to return to New Orleans.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Johnson played 14 games for New Orleans last season, catching 48 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

TEXANS: Houston re-signed free agents tight end Mark Bruener and safety Glenn Earl.

Bruener, a 13-year veteran and former UW standout, appeared in 14 games with one start for Houston last season.

BENGALS: Cincinnati agreed to terms on a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent linebacker Darryl Blackstock, his agent said.

The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Blackstock has 44 career tackles and four sacks in 46 games with the Arizona Cardinals.

LIONS: Detroit and defensive back Brian Kelly agreed on a three-year deal, and the team re-signed offensive tackle George Foster to a one-year contract.

Kelly earned experience playing Detroit’s version of the “Tampa Two” defense after getting drafted in 1998 by the Buccaneers. Kelly, who helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl, started four games last year and played in only two the previous season.

TITANS: Offensive lineman Jake Scott agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with Tennessee.

The unrestricted free agent played for the Indianapolis Colts the past four seasons, starting 57 games, including a current streak of 55 straight. All but four of his starts came at right guard.

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

BILLS: Buffalo signed free agent tight end Courtney Anderson to a two-year deal.

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Anderson, who met with the team last week, has started 28 of 43 NFL games in the previous four seasons. He has 62 catches 763 yards and six touchdowns. He played in four games last season without a reception for Detroit and Atlanta.