NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Cowboys: Donovan McNabb shouldn't expect a "Get well soon" text message from Terrell Owens. "Absolutely not," Owens said. But, T.O., don't you remember McNabb sending you one following your reported suicide attempt that turned out to be an accidental overdose? "I'm not even going there, dude," Owens said, laughing and shaking his head. "I wouldn't even make up a story like that. It's not even worth it. Just not even worth it." Although McNabb has said he reached out to Owens following his brief hospital stint in September, Owens has maintained he never received anything from McNabb. The mix-up or media ploy -- depending on whose side you're on -- only added to the bitter feelings between the former Philadelphia teammates whose friendship dissolved oh-so-publicly. And now that it's McNabb in need of a pick-me-up following a torn knee ligament, it won't be coming from Owens -- even if the receiver is now a children's author with an upcoming book possibly to be titled "Little T Learns To Say I'm Sorry." His first book for kids, "Little T Learns To Share," was released last week.
Eagles: Philadelphia placed McNabb on injured reserve Tuesday, ending the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback's season early for the third time in five years. McNabb tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Sunday's 31-13 loss to Tennessee, and is expected to have surgery within a month. He's expected to be sidelined for at least eight months. Linebacker Torrance Daniels was promoted from the practice squad to take McNabb's roster spot. Quarterback Omar Jacobs was signed to the practice squad. A fifth-round pick by Pittsburgh earlier this year, Jacobs spent a week on the Steelers' practice squad before he was released in September. Jacobs twice received All-Mid American Conference honors at Bowling Green, and finished his career as the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes with 71. He completed 523 of 811 passes for 6,938 yards and only 11 interceptions.
Lions: Detroit will have to wait at least one more week before the return of Shaun Rogers, its best defensive player. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has missed the last four games while serving a four-game suspension for substance abuse, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during his time away and has not recovered enough to be activated for the Thanksgiving Day game against Miami. "He's a big man and they had to clean his knee out pretty good," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Tuesday. "He did some good rehab work today, and we're very hopeful about next week." The news wasn't much better for Detroit's other starting defensive tackle, Shaun Cody. After missing several games with a dislocated toe, Cody tried to play in Sunday's loss at Arizona, but had to leave after aggravating the injury. He is doubtful for the Dolphins game. Several key members of the offense, including tailback Kevin Jones, were listed as questionable on Tuesday's injury report, a designation that Marinelli has often used for players who wound up not playing. Marinelli didn't sound optimistic about Jones' chances for Thanksgiving, but stressed the injury could have been worse. "It's not a high ankle sprain, just an ankle sprain," he said. "But you never know with ankles -- different players have different responses."
Broncos: Nick Ferguson usually bounded through the locker room, knocking objects -- namely food -- out of teammates' hands, cracking jokes and making of fun of whoever stood in front of him. The locker room seemed quieter Tuesday without the Denver Broncos strong safety. Ferguson had season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee. "He was really hoping he could play with it, but the doctors said there's no way," coach Mike Shanahan said after Tuesday's practice. "It was almost completely torn." Ferguson, a seventh-year pro, was injured on his first-quarter interception in Denver's 35-27 loss to San Diego on Sunday night.
Chiefs: Kansas City could have two Pro Bowlers back from injury for Thursday night's game against Denver. Coach Herman Edwards said Tuesday that guard Brian Waters should be back and tight end Tony Gonzalez, out one game with a shoulder injury, is also looking like he could be ready for the Thanksgiving night game, the inaugural game telecast by the NFL Network. Gonzalez has been sorely missed. His 8,398 yards receiving for his career are second among NFL tight ends only to Shannon Sharpe. The only starter who figures to be out for sure at this point is right tackle Kevin Sampson. Waters had missed two starts with a knee injury, which still has a heavy brace. "Veteran guys know at this time of the year if you have a chance to get into the playoffs, it's important that you're available," said Edwards. "The players like this type of atmosphere. Good players like this kind of atmosphere. They like to be in the hunt. That's what makes this thing all fun." The Chiefs (6-4) could catch the Broncos (7-3) for second place in the AFC West with a victory. In their first meeting this year in Denver, Trent Green had just gone out with a concussion that would sideline him for 10 weeks. Damon Huard, playing on a short leash, hardly tried to throw downfield in a game the Broncos, also playing tentatively, won 9-6 in overtime.
Associated Press
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