PHILADELPHIA -- The near miracle of the 76ers' run through the NBA playoffs is over. Time to take notice of another miraculous sports story in South Philadelphia: the illogical recovery of Eagles running back Duce Staley.

In the fifth game of the 2000 season, Staley -- who accounted for nearly 70 percent of the Eagles offense for more than two seasons -- suffered the debilitating dislocation of two bones in his right foot. He was lost for the year.

The injury is called a Lisfranc sprain, named for Napoleon's personal surgeon, Jacques Lisfranc, who first diagnosed the injury on the battlefields of France. Cavalry, thrown from their horses, would get their feet stuck in the stirrups -- the resulting dislocation and sprain often untreatable and devastating.

	Duce Staley rushed for over 1,000 yards in 1998 and 1999.

"There are stories that Dr. Lisfranc would just amputate the foot," said Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder. After a few advances in modern medicine, Staley was spared that fate.

But Staley's pro football career could have been cut short by an injury that few NFL trainers have understood -- and still don't. Thanks to some crafty therapy devised by Burkholder, Staley promises he will participate in full-contact drills when veterans report to Eagles training camp July 29.

On a blue-sky day in South Philadelphia at the Eagles' third mini-camp of this offseason, Staley ran across the perfectly manicured grass of the team's new, $37 million practice facility called the NovaCare Complex, flying out of the backfield, running under passes from last year's MVP runner-up, quarterback Donovan McNabb.

"It feels real good," said Staley. "This is the first mini-camp where I've been allowed to run routes, catch the ball. I'm at full go."

Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged in an interview that Staley did not look comfortable in the team's last mini-camp in May, which was Staley's first taste of football since the injury.

"The first time Duce was out there on the field, I thought he was measuring things a bit," said Reid, who last season led the Eagles (11-5) to their first playoff appearance in four years. "So I definitely think he's gotten better. Now, it looks like he's full steam ahead."

Reid believes Staley's speed and lateral movement are at pre-injury levels. "The full healing process has taken place," Reid said. "So it's a matter of him trusting the foot."

And taking a hit. Truth be told, it's June. An accurate assessment of Staley's availability for the 2001 campaign won't be known until training camp. And Reid knows that better than anyone.

"We're only doing this in shorts right now," said Reid. "I haven't seen anybody grab him and pull on him," said Reid, who said he will ask Staley to report with the rookies for training camp on July 26 -- three days before the veterans -- to get ready for full contact the first week at Lehigh University.

"That's going to be the key," said Staley, who was a 1,000-yard rusher in 1998 and 1999. "The first three days of training camp are live, so right off the bat, right out of the chute, I'll get to test it. I love contact. Once I get that first hit, I feel like I'm back in the swing of things."

Says Burkholder: "I want him to get tackled. I'm nervous. But I want him to get tackled." Reid said he will monitor every twinge, every hint of weakness in Staley's right leg during training camp.

"I want to see if he favors it," said Reid. "He can't do that. If he does, something else is going to get hurt. I want to make sure he has confidence in that leg, push off with power. Right now, it's remarkable. I don't know of any skill players who have been able to sustain their careers with this injury."

Eagles offensive right tackle Jon Runyan suffered the Lisfranc injury in college. But as a lineman he doesn't put the kind of stress on his foot that often is required of a running back.

The Lisfranc sprain and dislocation, which occurred in the first and second metatarsal bones of Staley's right foot, sap the strength at the precise fulcrum between the toes and the rest of the foot, making it impossible for the victim to push off, turn and generally apply any kind of pressure critical for walking or running.

Put simply, it's a delicate spot. For a worse-case scenario, fast forward to Week 2 of the 2001 season: Eagles at Tampa Bay. Warren Sapp grabs Staley behind the line of scrimmage, has a hold of his right foot. Staley tries to wriggle out and limps to the sideline, wondering if he can get back in the saddle.

By not signing a veteran, proven backup to Staley, the Eagles risk finding themselves in the same predicament which nearly ruined their postseason hopes last year -- an anemic running attack which was saved only by the Houdini-like play of one Donovan McNabb.

	“	It feels real good. This is the first mini-camp where I've been allowed to run routes, catch the ball. I'm at full go. ”
		— Duce Staley

Reid, now head coach and executive vice president for football operations, did not sign veteran former Ravens running back Priest Holmes, who wanted a guarantee of playing time and starter's money. Holmes signed with the Chiefs.

So far, Staley's progress has convinced the Eagles -- who have plenty of room under the salary cap -- to forgo other backup options such as Antowain Smith and Skip Hicks.

That has left the Eagles with Darnell Autry, who averaged three yards per carry in 11 games last year and failed to rush for more than 65 yards in a single game. Stanley Pritchett and Brian Mitchell, who has his hands full with return duties, could also spell Staley but aren't the permanent answer.

Reid is also very high on rookie Correll Buckholder. But Buckholder was mostly a backup in his four years at Nebraska and will have trouble -- as most rookies do -- sliding into the vernacular-laden West Coast offense that Reid runs in Philly.

"I like what I see with Correll," said Reid. "Again, I've got to see him perform with pads on and get beat on a little bit, play after play after play and see how he bounces back up and his attitude after that."

But, in Staley's mind, contingency plans are just that. "It's like adding a 1,000-yard rusher to a playoff team that was built around the quarterback," said Staley, who missed 13 games, including both playoff contests.

Staley's presence could be critical for the Eagles. Reid decided to release his veteran, starting receiving corps of Charles Johnson and Torrance Small. He signed free agent James Thrash from Washington and made him the X-receiver in an offense he's never seen before.

Starting opposite Thrash, for now, is the bean-pole second-year receiver, Todd Pinkston, who had just 10 catches as a rookie. First-round draft pick Freddie Mitchell of UCLA is expected to make an major impact in year one -- always problematic for rookies in the Holmgren-Gruden-Reid permutation of the Bill Walsh offense run in Philly.

The key will be to have a highly productive running game to keep the pressure off McNabb and his new receivers, and that responsibility will fall on Staley and his surgically repaired right foot.

"My gut tells me I'm going to be 150 percent," said Staley, who -- going into his fifth year in the NFL -- has never played in a playoff game. "No lie. Without a doubt, I feel good. No pain. I'm ready to go. And that's what counts."

Sal Paolantonio, a reporter for ESPN, covered the Eagles during his 15-year tenure at the Philadelphia Inquirer.