Eagles Star McNabb Unlikely to Play Against Giants

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"I wouldn't bet on it," Eagles coach Andy Reid said Tuesday when asked if McNabb could start. "He doesn't look good today."

McNabb injured his groin while trying to tackle Dallas' Roy Williams after throwing an interception. Williams returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown with 2:43 left to lead the Cowboys to a 21-20 comeback victory over the Eagles on Monday night.

Reid said McNabb had an MRI on Tuesday morning, and was waiting to see a specialist. If McNabb doesn't play, Mike McMahon probably would start over Koy Detmer against the Giants.

McMahon, listed as the third-string quarterback, played the last series against Dallas, and drove the Eagles to the Cowboys 42 before David Akers missed a 60-yard field goal attempt in the final seconds.

In four seasons with Detroit, McMahon started seven games. He had only a 43.8 completion percentage with 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, but he is mobile, rushing for 273 yards on 46 carries.

Detmer has been McNabb's backup the last six seasons. He is the No. 2 quarterback this year only because he holds the ball on extra points and field goals.

McNabb has played through several injuries this season, including a sports hernia that will require surgery. He walked gingerly to the podium at his post-game news conference and grimaced with every step.




Reid said McNabb is "sore more in the groin area than in the abdominal area."

McNabb's psyche is feeling worse after his interception cost Philadelphia a crucial victory. The reigning conference champion Eagles (4-5) have lost three straight games and are last in the NFC East.

"I take the blame for every loss," McNabb said. "I don't point the finger at any time. I take the blame for all losses."

McNabb has thrown a costly interception in each of the last three games, and has nine picks this season. He threw just eight interceptions last year when he became the first player in NFL history to throw more than 30 touchdown passes (31) and fewer than 10 interceptions.

In a 49-21 loss at Denver on Oct. 30, the Eagles rallied from a 28-0 deficit and were within 24 yards of scoring the tying TD early in the fourth quarter.

McNabb had running back Lamar Gordon wide open on a third-and-5, but went for Reggie Brown in the end zone instead and was picked off by rookie Domonique Foxworth. The Broncos then put the game away with 21 straight points.

In a 17-10 loss at Washington last week, McNabb drove the Eagles to the Redskins 7 in the final minutes only to throw an interception on a fourth-and-4 with 1:25 remaining.

"I'm just trying to make a play. You have the confidence you can get it in there, so you try to get it in there," McNabb said. "As a quarterback, you can't be tentative. You can't sit back and hold the ball. You've got to give your receivers an opportunity to compete and make a play for you. That's what I've been doing. I've been doing it the last couple of years. Some balls have gotten intercepted. It's going to happen as a quarterback. All quarterbacks go through it."

It has been a difficult season for McNabb, starting with the turmoil between him and Terrell Owens. The All-Pro wideout was suspended before the loss to Washington, and was told not to return to the team last week.


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McNabb, who feuded with Owens throughout the summer, put himself on the spot by saying the team was "better off" without its top playmaker. He refused to answer questions about Owens after the loss to Dallas.

"We need to stop talking about this," McNabb said. "No. 86, No. 83, and No. 80 are the receivers right now. Those guys did a good job these last two weeks. And, they're going to continue to get better. That's what we need to focus on."

Brown, Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen combined for seven catches for 62 yards against Dallas. Owens had 47 catches for 763 yards and six TDs in seven games.


11/15/05 12:21 EST


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