Eagles physicians discovered Harrison's brain tumor

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The Eagles ill-fated trade with the Lions Tuesday may have saved Jerome Harrisons life.

A league source on Thursday confirmed a report that the Eagles team physicians putting Harrison through a routine physical on Wednesday discovered that Harrison has a brain tumor.

The Eagles traded Ronnie Brown to the Lions on Tuesday for a 2013 seventh-round pick and Harrison, who spent most of last year with the Eagles.

On Wednesday, after Harrison underwent a physical in Philadelphia, the Eagles announced that the trade was nullified because of something the doctors found in Harrisons routine physical. But there was no explanation of what it was. Harrison had not appeared on the Lions injury report all year.

A league source told CSNPhilly's Derrick Gunn that Harrison told Eagles team physician Gary Dorshimer that he had been experiencing recurring headaches, and that led Dorshimer to order an MRI for Harrison, which revealed the tumor.

According to the original ESPN report, Harrison wont play again this year, but his condition is considered treatable and not life-threatening.

Physical exams are required by the NFL of any player before joining a new team, whether hes traded or signs as a free agent.

Its unfortunate, Lions cornerback Eric Wright told the Detroit Free-Press newspaper Thursday. Wright spent four years with Harrison in Cleveland. Just pray for him and hope for the best. I know everything is going to turn out well for him. Thats all we can do.

Harrison, 28, is in his sixth season after being drafted by the Browns in the fifth round in 2006. In 2009, he rushed for 286, 148 and 127 yards the last three games of the season for Cleveland, and his 561 yards in those games is the highest three-game total ever by an NFL player. His 286 yards against the Chiefs is third-most ever.

Harrison, acquired in mid-October last year from the Browns in a trade for Mike Bell, ran for 240 yards on 40 carries in eight games with the Eagles last year before signing with the Lions during the offseason.

After the trade was voided, Brown was returned to the Eagles. Hes rushed 13 times for a 2.9 average this year and notoriously fumbled near the goal-line on an ill-fated run-pass option in the loss to the 49ers.
E-mail reuben frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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