Owens may miss playoffs with ankle sprain
NFL.com wire reports
PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 20, 2004) -- 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 needs surgery and stands only an outside chance of being able to play in the Super Bowl on Feb. 6 if the Eagles make it that far, head trainer Rick Burkholder said.
Owens was hurt on the second play of the third quarter of Philadelphia's win over Dallas on Dec. 19 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.
"He's a great player, but can the offense go on? Absolutely," coach Andy Reid said. "We have some pretty good players on this offensive unit, so it'll still function and do very well this week."
Owens, who has 77 catches for 1,120 yards and a team-record 14 touchdowns, hobbled on the sideline, then needed help to make it into the locker room.
Owens has missed just seven games in his nine-year career. Acquired in an offseason trade, he has been a major catalyst in the Eagles' 13-1 record, providing 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.
The win over Dallas gave Philadelphia home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Eagles play 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.