Kevin Curtis' tenure in Philadelphia ended Thursday, as the team released the seven-year veteran on Thursday.
"Kevin is one of the classiest players I have ever been around," said head coach Andy Reid. "He's the type of player and person we like to build our team with. We just feel good about the young corps of receivers we have on our team at this point."
Curtis' career in Philadelphia got off to a promising start, with 77 receptions for 1,110 yards in his first season in Philadelphia in 2007. However, sports hernia and knee injuries limited Curtis to just 39 receptions the last two seasons.
Of course, Curtis' injuries translated into more opportunities for young receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, who have blossomed and arguably enter 2010 as Nos. 1 and 2 on the depth chart. Of course, the team signed restricted free agent Jason Avant to a five-year deal and brought back Hank Baskett with a one-year contract.
Last season, a sore knee prevented Curtis from doing much of anything as he was inactive for all but three games. He played through the injury and started the season opener at Carolina, posting 2 catches in that game for 26 yards. The following week, Curtis caught 3 balls for 44 yards against the Saints. He was shut down after that and underwent arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 24 in Utah. However, the team opted not to place him on season-ending injured reserve.
Curtis worked at his rehab and was pressed into service Dec. 20 against San Francisco. With Maclin out with a foot injury, Curtis suited up and caught one pass for 7 yards. That was the last time No. 80 saw the football field.
Curtis proved he could overcome injury and contribute in 2008. The veteran receiver played just nine regular-season games that season because of a sports hernia, but did return to catch 12 passes for 211 yards in three playoff games.
Curtis signed with Philadelphia as an unrestricted free agent in 2007 and caught 116 passes for 1,577 yards and eight touchdowns in 28 games.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 5:04 p.m., March 18
