Jeremiah Trotter is back. It's unbelievable yet seems so natural, amazing but feels so right. This love affair between the Eagles and Trotter continues. They're back together, yet again.

Say it with me. The Ax Man is back.

Trotter is ready to drop the ax. And this Eagles season just keeps getting weirder.

A day after a second workout persuaded Andy Reid to rehire him, Trotter was at the NovaCare Complex yesterday trying to shake out the cobwebs and come to grips with being a professional football player again. It's been two years, one knee surgery, and many doubts since he last pulled on the pads, and after absorbing a little contact on the practice field yesterday, Trotter was understandably bleary.

He's back in green for a third time, not as a charity case and not just to provide leadership to a defense that is young in spots. He's here to play, and not just special teams. He wants to resume his old-school role of essentially being a nose tackle in the middle linebacker's position. He wants to start. And he will be in No. 54. He took care of that little bit of housekeeping with Tracy White first thing yesterday.

It remains to be seen what the 32-year-old has left, but Trotter looked trim and cut yesterday, even in a white, collared shirt and blue pants. He said he's been working out for two years, hanging on to the hope that he might one day resume his career. He said he weighs 257 pounds, and has exchanged a little flab for muscle mass.

And those knees that prematurely forced him to the sideline after the 2007 season are better. He even passed a physical.

"I never thought I'd be back," Trotter said yesterday.

But it is true. The Ax Man is back.

Ever since Stewart Bradley went down in August, Trotter thought this day might come. After Bradley's season-ending knee injury, Trotter texted Reid.

I'm in great shape. I'm healthy.

Reid's response: LOL. You're funny. That's what I like about you. When you turn 60, you still are going to think you can play.

A couple of weeks later, Trotter texted Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

Bring me in for a workout. What do you have to lose?

And then Trotter ran into two-thirds of the triumvirate at an event at Lincoln Financial Field. Joe Banner asked Trotter if he was in shape.

"I said, 'Yeah, man, I'm ready,' " Trotter said.

"Stay in shape," Banner replied.

Then Trotter saw Jeffrey Lurie.

"He said, 'Trot, you in shape?' " Trotter said. "I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'All right. Stay in shape. You might get the call.' So then I was like, 'Whoa, this thing is serious.'

"I was already working out, but I couldn't wait to get back home. I was out there at 9:30 [at night] running in the yard. I was out there running until I almost passed out."

Now, he's an Eagle.

It seems like only yesterday that Trotter was leaving the NovaCare Complex, seemingly for good. In August 2007, Reid made the painful decision to release Trotter. He had called Trotter into his office, and the men cried "like two old ladies," Trotter said at the time.

The next day, as a steady drizzle fell, Trotter said goodbye to his teammates in the practice bubble, telling them to savor every moment on the field and take advantage of every opportunity to play. He passed the proverbial middle linebacker torch to a young Omar Gaither, hugged Brian Dawkins, then wept at the podium as he talked to the media about his love for the Eagles.

"That was a tough day," Trotter said yesterday. "I've always dreamed honestly of retiring as an Eagle, and I still hope and pray that one day I can do that, but to walk away from the game when I'm ready. . . ."

That day, "It hurt. I ain't going to lie. It was emotional. . . . I feel like I'm just as much a part of this city as anybody that's ever played here."

Trotter is right, of course. He bleeds green, there is no question. Does he really have anything to offer at 32? We're about to find out.

Ashley Fox:

Ashley Fox: Eagles' season keeps getting weirder. D2.

Contact columnist Ashley Fox at 215-854-5064 or afox@phillynews.com.