"There was all that time, medical staff manpower and money the Broncos put in to get running back J.J. Arrington healthy enough to play, and all that sweat, toil, rehab and sacrifice Arrington did so he could play for the Broncos.

And then, just as Arrington was ready to join the Broncos for the start of training camp Sunday, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Joe Mays, a special-teams standout and backup inside linebacker.

"In this business, you come to expect the unexpected," said J.R. Rickert, Arrington's agent.

The Eagles had interest in a versatile backup tailback, and the Broncos were searching for an inside backer who could fill the special-teams role vacated by Mario Haggan. Haggan will get some special- teams relief this season as he shifts to starting "mike" linebacker in the 3-4 defense."