McNabb may opt for season-ending surgery

Donovan McNabb's next important decision won't be calling an audible at the line of scrimmage. The Eagles quarterback was told yesterday to have surgery for a sports hernia that probably would end his season. McNabb is considering his options, and it's likely he'll seek other opinions before making a decision.

McNabb, who has played through injuries most of the season, reinjured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception in Monday night's loss to Dallas. Dr. William Meyers recommended that McNabb have surgery now to correct the sports hernia after an examination yesterday morning.

McNabb had planned to have surgery after the season, but he said Wednesday he wasn't sure if he'd do it sooner.

''It's important that we all be on the same page because you don't want to go through it and hear later that you might have been able to play through it and have the surgery later," McNabb said before seeing Meyers.

The Eagles (4-5) have lost three straight games and are last in the NFC East. Mike McMahon, a fifth-year pro who has started just seven games, replaces McNabb as the starter Sunday against the Giants.

Teammate wants T.O.

Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said this week he would welcome embattled receiver Terrell Owens back to the team with open arms.

''We would love to have T.O. back, we would love to have him back because we love what he brings to the team," Trotter said in an interview yesterday on ESPN. ''It would definitely make us a better team."

Eagles coach Andy Reid suspended Owens last week for a series of incidents that included public criticism of the organization and McNabb. Following his suspension, Owens will be deactivated for the rest of the season.

Trotter said he felt Owens could make amends with Reid, but it would require the petulant Pro Bowler to come back with a firm understanding that he respect the coach's authority.

''Andy loves T.O.," Trotter said. ''But, you know, as a head coach, you've got so many things to worry about, the last thing you want to worry about is outside distractions other than coaching the football team."

Maddox will start

With Ben Roethlisberger still not ready to return from a knee injury, Tommy Maddox will be the Steelers' starting quarterback Sunday in Baltimore -- the team's third starter in a month. Coach Bill Cowher said that Roethlisberger could be in uniform as the backup, but Maddox will start for the first time since turning the ball over four times in a 23-17 overtime loss to Jacksonville Oct. 16. Receiver Antwaan Randle El, a quarterback in college, is taking snaps in practice and could be used in case of injury. Cowher also said running back Willie Parker is expected to start against the Ravens after missing a game with a sprained ankle . . . Dolphins quarterback Gus Frerotte tested his sprained right index finger by throwing on the side, but didn't take part in team drills, and his status remains questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland. Frerotte hurt his finger in the first half of last Sunday's loss to New England, received an injection at halftime, and finished the game. If he's unable to go, he would be replaced by Sage Rosenfels, who has started one game in five NFL seasons. Coach Nick Saban didn't rule out starting Frerotte even if he doesn't practice all week . . . Kelly Holcomb felt much better but not good enough to be medically cleared for practice. The Bills quarterback missed his second straight practice since suffering a concussion last weekend and remains listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Diego. Coach Mike Mularkey is expected to name his starter today . . . Giants linebacker Reggie Torbor will miss 2-4 weeks with a hernia. Coach Tom Coughlin said Torbor, who has started seven games this season, underwent minor surgery Wednesday . . . The widow of lineman Korey Stringer hit another, probably final, legal roadblock when the Minnesota Supreme Court refused to let her pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the Vikings and several employees. Siding with two lower courts, the Supreme Court's 4-2 decision -- Justice Alan Page, a former Viking, recused himself -- exhausted Kelci Stringer's avenues in state court. Korey Stringer died in training camp four years ago from heatstroke.