The Bills made an addition to their offensive backfield Wednesday, signing free agent running back Walter Mendenhall.
Mendenhall (6'0" 227) was most recently with the Indianapolis Colts prior to the 2009 season as a late training camp signing. He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles last spring.
The older brother of Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall, Walter Mendenhall expected to be the lead back in his final collegiate season for Illinois, but new head coach Ron Zook, who did not recruit Mendenhall, pulled his scholarship.
Mendenhall transferred to Illinois State in 2008, where despite only starting four games he led the Redbirds in rushing with 796 yards on just 126 carries with 11 touchdowns.
With the addition of Mendenhall, the Bills now have three running backs on the roster with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch being the others.
