Eagles' Chance to Earn Superbowl Rings Growing Distant

By Mark Hoerrner

An already strained hernia turned into a season-ending injury after two separate doctors told Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb he would need to have surgery.

Although McNabb hasn't been placed on the injured reserve list, Head Coach Andy Reid made it clear that one of his star players would not likely see field time again until next year. "He's disappointed he can't finish the rest of the season, obviously." Reid said. "He understands that it needs to be done. He's pretty matter of fact about it right now."

Reid said McNabb would likely have the surgery shortly after the Thanksgiving holidays but as soon as it can be scheduled. McNabb was benched during a recent game where the Eagles were pounded by the New York Giants 27-17. He had re-injured himself trying to take down Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams, who had just picked off a pass from McNabb. Williams returned the interception for a touchdown that saved the game for the Cowboys, giving them a comeback victory 21-20 over the Eagles.

McNabb had hoped to work through the injury, but doctors had told him that if the hernia spread to the groin muscles, he'd need to have surgery. "You have the part in the abdominal area but you also have the groins being affected," Reid said. "Once the groins become an issue, the recovery is not going to take place. Rest is not going to help him. There's too much discomfort to where Donovan can't run and function. We're to that point."

The loss of McNabb, whose 2005 season includes 16 touchdowns and who has thrown for a total of 2,395 yards completed, is just another hitch in this season of incidents plaguing the Eagles. Cornerback Lito Sheppard is also most likely done for the season, and star receiver Terrell Owens is still out on a 4-game suspension over verbal fisticuffs with McNabb and other franchise personnel. The team is 0-3 since Owens went on suspension.

McNabb's recovery will take 8-10 weeks. If the team is somehow able to make it to the playoffs, it is possible that McNabb, a player used to fighting through injuries to stay on the field, could come back. Even still, the team's hopes of heading to the Superbowl are all but certainly dashed. In the meantime, the Eagles' Mike McMahon will take the turf as starting quarterback.