The Philadelphia Eagles have filed a tampering complaint against the Dallas Cowboys after Dallas owner Jerry Jones suggested on a radio show that his team is often interested in players such as suspended wide receiver Terrell Owens. "In general, I am a risk-taker. We've gone down that road," Jones said when asked if the Cowboys might be interested in Owens. "I probably have a propensity to try and make things work. ... A top receiver could flourish with Drew Bledsoe. That's always appealing."' NFL spokesman Michael Signora confirmed Sunday the Eagles filed the complaint over Jones' remark and said "the matter is under review." Owens was suspended for four games by the Eagles on Nov. 5 for criticizing quarterback Donovan McNabb, fighting with team "ambassador" Hugh Douglas and other actions deemed detrimental to the team. Last Tuesday, the suspension was upheld by an arbitrator.

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio is reporting that arbitrator Richard Bloch has upheld Terrell Owens' four-game suspension and given the Eagles the right to keep him inactive for the rest of the season.

According to a report in Newsday, arbitrator Richard Bloch is expected to reduce Terrell Owens' four-game suspension from four games to one or two games later Wednesday. Owens was suspended four games by Reid for conduct detrimental to the team November 9. The NFL Players Association is seeking to have the suspension reduced and wants the Eagles to cut Owens if they have no intention of playing him again. The report indicates that the Eagles, who planned to de-activate Owens for the remainder of the season, will release the mercurial superstar receiver instead. Philadelphia is concerned that Owens will cause a distraction if the ruling allows him to return to the Eagles' practice facility. Owens has stated all along that he wants to return to the Eagles, but would want to be released if Philadelphia didn't plan to play him. If released, Owens would go through the league's waiver system, with the worst team getting the first shot of claiming him. Owens is making a base salary of $3.75 million this season.

Donovan McNabb will have surgery for a sports hernia and is expected to miss the rest of the season, another crushing blow for a team that had hoped to return to the Super Bowl. All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard also appears out for the season with a sprained ankle that will require surgery. Monday's announcements came one day after the reigning NFC champions fell to 4-6 with their fourth straight loss. The struggling Eagles also are without star receiver Terrell Owens, who was suspended four games and told not to return to the team on Nov. 7. McNabb didn't play in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the New York Giants after he re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception last Monday night. Williams returned it 46 yards for a touchdown with 2:43 left to lead Dallas to a 21-20 comeback victory over the Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard broke his left ankle in Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Sheppard was hurt with 12:14 left in third quarter when he got tangled up with Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress on an incomplete pass. He was taken off the field in a cart. Sheppard, who made the Pro Bowl last season, has 27 tackles, two interceptions and one sack this season.

Terrell Owens won?t play for the Eagles this season. The Eagles made that clear long before the 14-hour hearing to determine whether the four-game suspension of Owens was excessive. But it?s looking more and more like Owens will play somewhere this season. Before the Owens arbitration Friday, several NFL sources called the Denver Broncos a viable landing strip for the temperamental yet talented player kicked off the Eagles for conduct detrimental to the team. It seemed a bit much to believe the timing could hinge on the outcome of the arbitration because everyone was feeling angst. The first clue the NFL Players Association thought it had a very compelling case came when the sides couldn?t reach a settlement before the hearing presided over by Richard Bloch. The next hint the union was comfortable the suspension was excessive occurred when almost everyone but the Eagles equipment managers testified about a list of less than horrendous transgressions it?s believed Owens already had apologized for other than possibly the alleged altercation with Hugh Douglas, employed as the team ambassador.

Terrell Owens might be closer to returning to the field this season, even though the Philadelphia Eagles still don't want him back. Arbitrator Richard Bloch did not issue a ruling after the 14-hour arbitration hearing Friday. Richard Berthelsen, general counsel of the NFL Players' Association, said a decision is expected by Tuesday and expressed optimism that Owens would not have to sit out the remainder of the season. The dismissed Owens -- who did not speak with reporters after leaving the hearing -- is seeking reinstatement. "This discipline did not meet the legal standards of the collective bargaining agreement," said attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing the union. "He wants to play for Philadelphia," Kessler said. "He doesn't have any problem with his teammates, the organization or the fans. He never expected this to be the result."

Donovan McNabb was told Thursday to have surgery that probably would end his season. The Eagles' quarterback is considering his options. McNabb will miss Philadelphia's game against the New York Giants on Sunday with a groin injury, but hasn't made a decision beyond that. McNabb has played with a sports hernia most of the season. He re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception on Monday night. Williams returned it 46 yards for a touchdown with 2:43 left to lead Dallas to a 21-20 comeback victory over the Eagles. Dr. William Meyers recommended that McNabb have surgery now to correct the sports hernia after an examination Thursday morning. McNabb had planned to have surgery after the season, but he said Wednesday he wasn't sure if he'd do it sooner. Mike McMahon, who had been the third string quarterback, will start in McNabb's place. "He's our leader. If he's out, it's a major hit," tight end L.J. Smith said. "It's definitely a blow to our offense."

Eagles coach Andy Reid has made it clear that he has no intention of bringing suspended receiver Terrell Owens back to the team this year. Jeremiah Trotter has other ideas. The Eagles' outspoken middle linebacker, one of the team's most respected leaders, yesterday said that the team is better with Owens on it and he hoped that Reid would relent and bring him back this season. Asked if he believes Owens has played his last game in an Eagles uniform, Trotter said: "I don't think so. For some crazy reason, I have a feeling [he'll come back]. I've been through this situation where I left the team on bad terms and I was able to come back and rectify the problem. I believe that if T.O. understands that the ball is in his court and he comes to the conclusion he knows what he has to do, he'll be back."

Donovan McNabb will miss Philadelphia's game against the New York Giants on Sunday with a groin injury. Mike McMahon, who had been the third-string quarterback, will get the start over backup Koy Detmer. McNabb's status beyond this week is uncertain. He'll see a specialist Thursday. "He's not moving around very well," coach Andy Reid said Wednesday.