Season likely over for Eagles' McNabb

Donovan McNabb's season is likely over. So is the Philadelphia Eagles' hope of returning to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles' star quarterback will have surgery for a sports hernia and is expected to miss the final six games, another crushing blow for a team that had still hoped to make the playoffs without suspended receiver Terrell Owens.

"I'm disappointed that the injury has reached this stage and has ultimately ended my season," McNabb said in a statement. "I wanted so much to help this team turn it around and was unable to do that."

All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard also appears out for the season with a severely 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.

McNabb didn't play in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Giants after he re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception last Monday night.

Gates' injury not severe

Antonio Gates said his sprained right foot was feeling better Monday, and didn't rule himself out of next Sunday's game at Washington.

The Chargers' star tight end was hurt in the third quarter of a 48-10 win over Buffalo on Sunday. He underwent an MRI exam on Monday, which showed no significant damage.

Gates leads the Chargers with 56 catches this year for 784 yards and seven scores.

Thomas injures shoulder

Miami Dolphins defensive leader Zach Thomas likely will miss the next two games with a separated right shoulder.

The middle linebacker's status for the rest of the season was not known as doctors evaluated the severity of the injury sustained in the first half of the Dolphins' 22-0 drubbing at the hands of the Browns.

Rogers fights for bonus

If Charles Rogers has to give the Detroit Lions millions of dollars from his signing bonus, he might have months to come up with the money.

The Lions have filed a grievance against the third-year receiver, and Booth News Service reported the team is seeking a return of $10.1 million of his $14.4 million signing bonus.

Rogers owes the Lions $10.1 million as a prorated portion of his bonus because when he was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, he was in default, Booth Newspapers reported, citing his contract.

Lewis to play less

His production has plummeted this season, and now Jamal Lewis can expect a reduction in playing time.

Lewis has started every game, a trend that should continue this weekend in Cincinnati. But Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick has grown impatient waiting for the 2003 NFL offensive player of the year to get into a groove, and has decided to give more carries to backup Chester Taylor.

Lewis and Taylor both become unrestricted free agents after this season, and the Ravens (3-7) need to decide which one to bring back next year.

-- From wire reports