Another injury blow for Eagles
NFL NOTES Westbrook done for rest of season Cagey Dungy sticks to game plan
Running back Brian Westbrook will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, the fourth Pro Bowl player the Philadelphia Eagles have lost for the season in the last month.
Westbrook hurt his foot in the first half of Monday night’s 42- 0 loss to Seattle. An MRI yesterday confirmed he has a Lis Franc sprain, an injury more common in automobile accidents and equestrian sports. Westbrook joins quarterback Donovan McNabb ( hernia), cornerback Lito Sheppard ( ankle) and left tackle Tra Thomas ( back) on the injured list.
Rookie Ryan Moats likely will take Westbrook’s spot, although he could share time with Lamar Gordon and Reno Mahe. GRIEVANCE FILED: The NFL Players Association filed a grievance against the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday, claiming the team had breached Terrell Owens’ contract by trying to get back $1.7 million (all figures U. S.) of the wide receiver’s signing bonus and by leaving him inactive for the rest of the season. The union alleges that the Eagles’ request to return signing bonus money constitutes “ double discipline.” Owens’ suspension without pay cost him $764,706 of his $ 3.25 million base salary for this season. He is owed $955,882 over the final five games. DUNGY DODGES: Tony Dungy treats the mounting questions like he’s a politician. Everyone wants to know how the Indianapolis Colts cope with the pressure of staying perfect one more week. Dungy usually responds with a tactful touch. But there is one question that makes the Colts’ coach groan: Will he continue playing starters if the Colts clinch the AFC South title, a first- round bye and home- field advantage this weekend?
“ I don’t think too far ahead, but I do everything I can to win,” he said with a chuckle. “ If we’re fortunate enough to win, I’ll do what I do every week. I’ll ask for some wisdom from the Lord and pray that they don’t get hurt.” STEELERS HURTING: Pittsburgh left tackle Marvel Smith won’t play Sunday against the Chicago Bears because of a sprained right ankle, the third game he will miss in four weeks.
Smith, a Pro Bowl lineman last season, sat out an overtime loss to the Ravens on Nov. 20 with a sprained left ankle, then injured the right ankle the following week against the Colts.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, coming off consecutive losses for the first time in his two- season career, is listed as probable despite his injured right thumb. CARDINALS HOBBLED:
Arizona placed centre Alex Stepanovich on injured reserve and resigned linebacker Isaac Keys.
Stepanovich is the 12th player, sixth starter and fourth offensive lineman placed on the seasonending injured list by the Cardinals.