Reno Mahe signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia today, giving the team a sure-handed returner with experience. J.R. Reed was released to make room for Mahe.

Who will return punts became a hot topic in Philadelphia because Greg Lewis and Reed each had costly fumbles in a 16-13 loss to Green Bay in the opener. Neither player had ever returned a punt in a regular-season game before Sunday.

Mahe had been out of the NFL since the Eagles declined to re-sign him after last season. The reserve running back was the team's primary returner on punts and kickoffs last season. He averaged 9.4 yards on 18 punt returns and fair-caught 12 others. In 2005, Mahe led the NFL with an average of 12.8 yards on 21 punt returns and had nine fair catches.

Overall, Mahe has averaged 9.4 yards on 64 punt returns in four seasons, while making 35 fair catches. His longest return is 44 yards. Mahe doesn't have breakaway speed and isn't a threat to go the distance, but he catches the ball and makes good decisions.

It's unknown whether Mahe will be ready when the Eagles host the Washington Redskins on Monday night.