Eagle to Face Marijuana Charges

Eagles leading rusher Correll Buckhalter and teammates Terrence Carroll and Darrel Crutchfield were suspended for Sunday's game after Carroll was arrested on marijuana charges Friday night, a source familiar with the players told The Associated Press on Saturday. Carroll faces drug charges after marijuana was discovered in a car in which he, Buckhalter and Crutchfield were riding, said a source with the Philadelphia Police Department, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Carroll is a rookie safety and Crutchfield is a rookie cornerback. Neither has played in any games this season. Both players made the team as free agents.

Carroll was arraigned on charges of marijuana possession and released Saturday. Buckhalter and Crutchfield were not charged and were released Friday.

The first-place Eagles flew to Dallas on Saturday for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

"I met with the players I could meet with and they will be suspended," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I will not comment further on this matter."

The players were taken into custody Friday evening after their car was stopped on South Street, a trendy strip of bars and shops in South Philadelphia, Capt. William Calurulo said.

"The officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the car," Calurulo said. "It was determined that only one individual was responsible for the marijuana."

Buckhalter, a fourth-round pick from Nebraska, played well after starting running back Duce Staley went down with a shoulder injury in the second week. He has 428 yards rushing on 92 carries for an average of 4.7 yards per carry, and also has two touchdowns.

Staley returned to the starting lineup last week and had 146 yards rushing in a 48-17 victory over Minnesota.

(Copyright 2001 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

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Author: 6 - ABC, Action News