Buccaneers Get Running Back Help By Trading for Chiefs' M. Bennett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers filled their need for a tailback by obtaining Michael Bennett in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bennett is a former 1,200-yard rusher for the Minnesota Vikings who'd been relegated to backup status in Kansas City. It is not immediately clear what the Chiefs received in the deal, which was first reported by the Kansas City Star.

The NFL's trading deadline comes today.

The teams agreed to the trade Monday, the Star reported.

"It was a shock to me," Bennett told the newspaper. "It really caught me off guard. I heard the speculation for the past few days, but nobody from the Chiefs said anything to me, so I guessed it wasn't going to happen. I was wrong. It's a business. It's just one of those things that happen."

The Buccaneers have been looking for help at running back since losing Carnell (Cadillac) Williams to a season-ending knee injury. They also lost Michael Pittman for six to eight weeks because of an ankle injury, making Earnest Graham the starter. They signed veteran Zack Crockett last week after failed attempts to lure Corey Dillon out of retirement and to trade for Vikings reserve Mewelde Moore.

Bennett ran for 52 yards on 20 carries this season for the Chiefs. He had only 36 carries for 200 yards last season for the Chiefs and hasn't had even a 500-yard rushing season since 2002, when he ran for 1,296 yards for the Vikings. The Chiefs have Larry Johnson as their starter. They have rookie Kolby Smith as a backup and Priest Holmes, who began the season on the non-football injury list as he attempts to come back from a career-threatening neck injury, is eligible to practice with the team this week.

By Mark Maske |  October 16, 2007; 9:55 AM ET  | Category:  Buccaneers , Chiefs
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