McNabb out for season

QB latest loss for struggling Eagles

November 22, 2005|Associated Press

Donovan McNabb's season is likely over. So, it would seem, is the Philadelphia Eagles' hope of returning to the Super Bowl.

The star quarterback will have surgery for a muscle tear in the groin area and is expected to miss the final six games, another crushing blow for a team that had hoped to make the playoffs without suspended receiver Terrell Owens.

''I'm disappointed that the injury has reached this stage and has ultimately ended my season," McNabb said in a statement. ''I wanted so much to help this team turn it around and was unable to do that."

All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard also appears out for the season with a severely sprained ankle that will require surgery. The Eagles suspended Owens for four games Nov. 7, and told him not to return to the team.

Yesterday's news came one day after the reigning NFC champions fell to 4-6 with their fourth straight loss.

Neither McNabb nor Sheppard was placed on injured reserve, so each could return should the Eagles make the playoffs, though McNabb's recovery time is expected to be at least eight weeks.

Philadelphia signed second-year quarterback Jeff Smoker to the practice squad last week but is looking at others, including former Steeler Kordell Stewart, who hasn't thrown a pass since 2003.

An arbitrator is expected to make a decision on Owens's grievance hearing against the Eagles tomorrow. Owens is hoping to be reinstated or released.