Eagles trainer expected Owens not to get medical clearance
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Terrell Owens has not received medical clearance to play in the Super Bowl. That didn't stop the five-time Pro Bowl receiver from stepping up his rehab.
The Philadelphia Eagles are holding out hope that Owens will play in Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6.
Owens underwent surgery on December 22 to stabilize his injured right ankle. Two screws and a plate were inserted in the ankle by Dr. Mark Myerson, who said it was possible that Owens could return if the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl.
However, on Tuesday night Myerson issued a statement, saying the recovery time should be eight to 10 weeks and any attempt to accelerate the rehabilitation process poses the same risk for injury.
Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder responded to Myerson's statement on Wednesday and confirmed that Owens has started to run on a treadmill.
"We expected Dr. Myerson not to give medical clearance yet," Burkholder said. "He (Owens) has to try to progress in his rehab before we can make a determination on whether he can play. The game is still 11 days away, so it's too early to make a final determination now.
"He just started working on a treadmill Tuesday night and he had a little bit of soreness today. This will be a day-to-day process."
Owens was on the sideline last Sunday, flapping his arms and waving a towel during the Eagles' 27-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game.
Owens suffered a fracture of the fibula below the right knee in addition to ligament damage in the ankle after getting tackled from behind by safety Roy Williams in a December 19 game against Dallas.
One of the game's elite wide receivers who is known for his exuberant touchdown celebrations, Owens set a club record with 14 touchdown catches in his first year with the Eagles.
Owens pushed the San Francisco 49ers to trade him to Philadelphia because he wanted to play with Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb. Instead, the Niners shipped Owens to Baltimore, but he refused to report and eventually was traded to Philadelphia.
Owens immediately clicked with McNabb, catching 77 passes for 1,200 yards in 14 games, becoming the first Eagles receiver to reach 1,000 yards since Irving Fryar in 1997.
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Terrell Owens has not received medical clearance to play in the Super Bowl. That didn't stop the five-time Pro Bowl receiver from stepping up his rehab.
The Philadelphia Eagles are holding out hope that Owens will play in Super Bowl XXXIX against the New England Patriots in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6.
Owens underwent surgery on December 22 to stabilize his injured right ankle. Two screws and a plate were inserted in the ankle by Dr. Mark Myerson, who said it was possible that Owens could return if the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl.
However, on Tuesday night Myerson issued a statement, saying the recovery time should be eight to 10 weeks and any attempt to accelerate the rehabilitation process poses the same risk for injury.
Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder responded to Myerson's statement on Wednesday and confirmed that Owens has started to run on a treadmill.
"We expected Dr. Myerson not to give medical clearance yet," Burkholder said. "He (Owens) has to try to progress in his rehab before we can make a determination on whether he can play. The game is still 11 days away, so it's too early to make a final determination now.
"He just started working on a treadmill Tuesday night and he had a little bit of soreness today. This will be a day-to-day process."
Owens was on the sideline last Sunday, flapping his arms and waving a towel during the Eagles' 27-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game.
Owens suffered a fracture of the fibula below the right knee in addition to ligament damage in the ankle after getting tackled from behind by safety Roy Williams in a December 19 game against Dallas.
One of the game's elite wide receivers who is known for his exuberant touchdown celebrations, Owens set a club record with 14 touchdown catches in his first year with the Eagles.
Owens pushed the San Francisco 49ers to trade him to Philadelphia because he wanted to play with Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb. Instead, the Niners shipped Owens to Baltimore, but he refused to report and eventually was traded to Philadelphia.
Owens immediately clicked with McNabb, catching 77 passes for 1,200 yards in 14 games, becoming the first Eagles receiver to reach 1,000 yards since Irving Fryar in 1997.
