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PHILADELPHIA - Eagles star receiver Terrell Owens will miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the playoffs and Super Bowl with torn ligaments in his right ankle.
Owens will have surgery Wednesday and stands only an outside shot at being able to play in the NFL's championship game on Feb. 6 ? if Philadelphia makes it that far ? head trainer Rick Burkholder said.
Owens, who has 77 catches for 1,120 yards and a team-record 14 touchdowns, also has a fracture a few inches below his knee. But Burkholder still didn't rule out the chance that Owens would be able to run in five weeks ? the weekend of the NFC title game.
"The scenario I painted is the best-case scenario, but it is realistic," Burkholder said.
Owens was hurt on the second play of the third quarter of Philadelphia's win over Dallas on Sunday when he was dragged down from behind by Roy Williams on a 20-yard reception. Owens immediately grabbed the back of his leg, which was bent backward, but left the field on his own power.
The Eagles went on to win 12-7 and clinched home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.
Tests Monday revealed the torn ligament. A screw will be implanted to stabilize and strengthen the ankle joint.
Burkholder said the fracture is not as serious, and will be allowed to heal on its own.
"He's a great player, but can the offense go on? Absolutely," coach Andy Reid said Monday. "We have some pretty good players on this offensive unit, so it'll still function and do very well this week."
Owens has missed just seven games in his nine-year career. Acquired in an offseason trade, he has provided a spark to an offense that often stagnated late in the season ? even though Philadelphia made the NFC championship game the last three years without him.
Philadelphia plays next Monday night at St. Louis and finish the season on Jan. 2 at home against Cincinnati. Philadelphia will open the playoffs Jan. 15 or 16.
The Eagles' other starting wide receiver, Todd Pinkston, hurt his knee against the Cowboys and Reid said he was walking with a limp Monday.
Without Owens, the Eagles will be left with basically the same lackluster receiving corps that has disappeared when needed in the title games. Freddie Mitchell or Greg Lewis could join Pinkston as the other starting wideout. Those three have a combined 60 catches for 1,073 yards.
Reid said the Eagles will activate wide receiver Billy McMullen.
"It will be an opportunity for some young guys to play," Reid said.
In two playoff games last year, the Eagles had one touchdown catch from a wide receiver.
None of the wide receivers caught a pass in the second half of the Eagles' 12-7 win over the Cowboys.
The Eagles have already set a franchise record for regular-season victories. They've finished first in the conference three straight years, but couldn't take advantage of playing at home in the last two NFC championship games, losing to Tampa Bay and Carolina. The Eagles also lost in the NFC title game in 2002, in St. Louis.
PHILADELPHIA - Eagles star receiver Terrell Owens will miss the rest of the regular season and possibly the playoffs and Super Bowl with torn ligaments in his right ankle.
Owens will have surgery Wednesday and stands only an outside shot at being able to play in the NFL's championship game on Feb. 6 ? if Philadelphia makes it that far ? head trainer Rick Burkholder said.
Owens, who has 77 catches for 1,120 yards and a team-record 14 touchdowns, also has a fracture a few inches below his knee. But Burkholder still didn't rule out the chance that Owens would be able to run in five weeks ? the weekend of the NFC title game.
"The scenario I painted is the best-case scenario, but it is realistic," Burkholder said.
Owens was hurt on the second play of the third quarter of Philadelphia's win over Dallas on Sunday when he was dragged down from behind by Roy Williams on a 20-yard reception. Owens immediately grabbed the back of his leg, which was bent backward, but left the field on his own power.
The Eagles went on to win 12-7 and clinched home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.
Tests Monday revealed the torn ligament. A screw will be implanted to stabilize and strengthen the ankle joint.
Burkholder said the fracture is not as serious, and will be allowed to heal on its own.
"He's a great player, but can the offense go on? Absolutely," coach Andy Reid said Monday. "We have some pretty good players on this offensive unit, so it'll still function and do very well this week."
Owens has missed just seven games in his nine-year career. Acquired in an offseason trade, he has provided a spark to an offense that often stagnated late in the season ? even though Philadelphia made the NFC championship game the last three years without him.
Philadelphia plays next Monday night at St. Louis and finish the season on Jan. 2 at home against Cincinnati. Philadelphia will open the playoffs Jan. 15 or 16.
The Eagles' other starting wide receiver, Todd Pinkston, hurt his knee against the Cowboys and Reid said he was walking with a limp Monday.
Without Owens, the Eagles will be left with basically the same lackluster receiving corps that has disappeared when needed in the title games. Freddie Mitchell or Greg Lewis could join Pinkston as the other starting wideout. Those three have a combined 60 catches for 1,073 yards.
Reid said the Eagles will activate wide receiver Billy McMullen.
"It will be an opportunity for some young guys to play," Reid said.
In two playoff games last year, the Eagles had one touchdown catch from a wide receiver.
None of the wide receivers caught a pass in the second half of the Eagles' 12-7 win over the Cowboys.
The Eagles have already set a franchise record for regular-season victories. They've finished first in the conference three straight years, but couldn't take advantage of playing at home in the last two NFC championship games, losing to Tampa Bay and Carolina. The Eagles also lost in the NFC title game in 2002, in St. Louis.
