Owens practices, gives appearance that he will play

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The situation remains fluid, and things could change during the week, but it appears now that Terrell Owens will be on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles when they play the New England Patriots Sunday in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed that Owens practiced with the team for the first time Monday since sustaining ankle and leg injuries Dec. 19.

“He was at practice,” Reid said. “We limited what he did, but what he did, he did well.”

Owens has steadfastly said he planned to return to the Eagles in time for the Super Bowl, even though he needed surgery to repair the damage done to his ankle.

He was not available for comment Monday, but was expected to be available for a news conference today. The practice was closed to the media.

According to a pool report, Owens took part in a portion of the 30 offensive plays the Eagles ran in a light workout. Reid later put the number at 30 percent of the plays.

The pool reporter observed that Owens was thrown the ball on every play he was in the pass route.

When Owens was not on the field, he was often playing catch with backup quarterbacks Koy Detmer, Jeff Blake and Andy Hall.

“He looked good with the work he did,” Reid said. “We took it nice and slow, and we’ll see how he is tomorrow. The plan is to keep increasing his workload every day.”

Even though Owens has not been cleared to play by his doctor, Reid said the Eagles received a medical opinion that Owens could not do any further damage to his ankle if he were to play.

“He won’t re-injure the leg from the surgery – we checked into that,” Reid said. “Could the same injury occur? Yes. But he won’t damage it further.”

If Owens plays, it will come as no surprise to the Patriots.

New England coach Bill Belichick has said his team is preparing as if Owens would play.

Owens’ progress didn’t seem to come as a surprise to his teammates, either. After watching him work Monday, they are even more convinced.

“I wouldn’t bet against it,” said free safety Brian Dawkins when asked if he thought Owens would play Sunday.

The Eagles are going into the game as a seven-point underdog, but their chances of pulling off an upset would be greater if Owens can play.

“It’s always a lift when you can get anyone out there who is an added weapon for the offense,” quarterback Donovan McNabb said. “When our guys are healthy, that says a lot about our team. We are able to fly around and have a great time.”

Before Owens was injured, he was one of the Eagles’ main forces, catching 77 passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. After he went down, other players picked up the slack.

“He did make some big plays for us,” McNabb said. “The rest of the guys have learned a little from him.”