NFL

Injuries to Akers, McNabb hit Eagles

By wire services
Published September 27, 2005

Just three weeks ago, Philadelphia's biggest concern revolved around whether Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens would talk.

Now, the Eagles are faced with a serious matter: injuries to two star players who further injured themselves Sunday playing key parts in beating Oakland. K David Akers probably will miss Sunday's game in Kansas City with a torn hamstring, while McNabb's ability to start is unclear.

Akers kicked two extra points and a winning field goal in the 23-20 win after collapsing on the opening kickoff with a hamstring tear in his right, nonkicking leg.

His injury probably will lead to a roster move if K Todd France is promoted from the practice squad. France, who was one of the Bucs' final cuts in preseason, was signed last week after Akers strained his hamstring.

Coach Andy Reid said that McNabb played with a lower abdominal strain, a bruised shin and recurring soreness in his chest. "He should be fine for the game," Reid said. "We need to get rid of the soreness and he should be all right." Asked if McNabb would be held out in order to heal through the bye week on Oct. 16, Reid said, "I don't think we are at that point. Not today."

WARNER OUT, McCOWN IN: Arizona QB Kurt Warner has a right groin strain that will cause him to miss Sunday's game against the 49ers in Mexico City.

Warner was hurt scrambling after the pocket broke down in the second quarter Sunday in the Cardinals' third loss of the season, 37-12 at Seattle.

The injury promotes Josh McCown , brother of Bucs backup QB Luke McCown , to first string against San Francisco in the first regular-season game to be played on foreign soil.

Arizona also lost two regulars in the game, possibly for the season: RT Oliver Ross (hand) and DT Russell Davis (left biceps tendon).

49ERS: CB Ahmed Plummer will need arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip on his left ankle, sidelining him for up to six weeks. Coach Mike Nolan said he is moving nickel back Michael Adams to free safety and pushing Mike Rumph back to cornerback after a three-game stint at safety.

LIONS: The team took four days off, and it not only gained sole possession of first place in the NFC North, it came off the break with a spirited practice. "I was joking we should take four days off more often," coach Steve Mariucci said. "That's good stuff, huh? The trick is staying there."

PACKERS: Offensive coordinator Tom Rossley had heart tests after spending the night at a hospital after a recurrence of warning signs that had sent him to the emergency room before Sunday's game against the Bucs.

VIKINGS: S Willie Offord will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, putting a dent in the secondary depth and taking away the special-teams captain. Offord's left knee got caught in the Metrodome's artificial grass while covering a kickoff against New Orleans. WR Nate Burleson , who sat out Sunday, probably will miss another game with a sprained ligament in his left knee. In off-the-field news, OL Bryant McKinnie and Marcus Johnson were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Minneapolis police said the players refused to leave Bobby and Steve's Auto World, a gas station and deli that is a popular spot for the after-bar crowd near downtown. Two witnesses said otherwise. A store employee and a security guard said they didn't see the players do anything to justify being taken to jail.

[Last modified September 27, 2005, 02:45:31]