Eagles’ McNabb on shelf
NFL NOTES Battered QB unlikely to play Patriots suffer another key injury
Donovan McNabb has a bruised ego to match his battered body. McNabb is unlikely to play in Philadelphia’s game against the New York Giants on Sunday because of a groin injury. His psyche is feeling worse after his interception cost the Eagles a crucial victory against Dallas on Monday night.
“ He takes a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and he was devastated by the loss,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said yesterday. McNabb re- injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams after he misread the coverage and threw an interception. Williams returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown with 2: 43 left to lead Dallas to a 21- 20 comeback victory over the Eagles.
Reid said McNabb had an MRI yesterday morning and was waiting to see a specialist. If McNabb doesn’t play, Mike McMahon probably would start over Koy Detmer against the Giants.
“ I wouldn’t bet on it,” Reid said of McNabb’s chances to play. ‘‘ He doesn’t look good today.” STEELERS DEEP:
What doesn’t look questionable about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injurycomplicated quarterback situation is coach Bill Cowher’s decision to keep not one, but two proven backups behind Ben Roethlisberger. Cowher said yesterday he won’t know until later in the week whether Roethlisberger can play in Sunday’s game at Baltimore. Roethlisberger, who is listed as questionable, has missed two games since having knee surgery Nov. 3.
If he can’t play — and the Steelers are hopeful he can — then Tommy Maddox will be their third starting QB in four games.
Charlie Batch started and won the last two games in his first extended playing time in four years, but will sit out at least one game after breaking a bone in his right hand during Sunday’s win over Cleveland. SEASON ENDED:
Patriots centre Dan Koppen is out for the season after injuring his shoulder. Koppen has started 40 games for New England since being selected in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. He took over the starting job in the second game of his rookie season. The Patriots also put defensive back Randall Gay on injured reserve with an ankle injury, further hobbling the team’s injuryriddled defence. NINERS ADD MUSCLE:
San Francisco picked up tight end Terry Jones off waivers from Baltimore yesterday and waived tight end Trent Smith.
Jones has been used mostly as a blocker in Baltimore’s three tight end sets and has yet to make a catch this season. He has 50 receptions for 417 yards with five touchdowns during his four- year career. ROOKIE RETURNS:
Denver brought rookie tight end Wesley Duke back onto their active roster yesterday and waived veteran safety Marques Anderson. Duke surprisingly made the 53- man roster to start the season largely because he was considered too good a prospect to risk losing on waivers. But when injuries in the Denver secondary hit in October, the Broncos were forced to put Duke on waivers. He cleared and was re- signed to the team’s practice squad.