FOOTBALL

DOCTOR WON’T CLEAR OWENS TO PLAY

Terrell Owens’s doctor said yesterday he will not give the All-Pro receiver clearance to play in the Super Bowl. Owens saw Dr. Mark Myerson yesterday, one day after telling reporters he would play against the New England Patriots on February 6.

Myserson said he’s pleased with Owens’s recuperation, but maintains the surgery requires a recovery period of eight to 10 weeks. Myerson said in a statement that any attempt to accelerate the rehabilitation process poses the same risk for injury. Owens tore two ankle ligaments and broke his fibula after being tackled awkwardly against Dallas on December 19.

Owens said he plans to be in uniform for the Eagles in Jacksonville, Fla. He was expected to test his injured ankle on the field this week and could try running as early as today. By not clearing Owens to play, Myerson is absolved of any blame should Owens go against his wishes and then reinjure the ankle.

ROETHLISBERGER PLAYED WITH BROKEN TOES

Rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger broke a couple of toes on his right foot during the Steelers’ AFC title game loss to the Patriots, but he doesn’t blame the injury for his error-filled play.

Roethlisberger didn’t specify yesterday which toes were broken, and he wasn’t walking with an apparent limp. He believes he was hurt while stumbling on a 13-yard run late in the first half, amid a drive that later stalled in the 41-27 loss Sunday. Despite getting hurt, Roethlisberger saw his statistics improve after the injury. He was 5-of-10 for 77 yards and two pivotal interceptions before halftime, but was 9-of-14 for 149 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the second half.

EAGLES SIGN THOMASON TO REPLACE LEWIS

Jeff Thomason put down his hard hat, grabbed a helmet, and joined the NFC champions. The veteran tight end is going to the Super Bowl with the Eagles after being out of the NFL the last two seasons. Lewis, who hurt his foot on the second of his two touchdown catches in Philadelphia’s win over Atlanta in the NFC title game, was put on injured reserve to make roster space.

Thomason was working as a project manager for a construction company in New Jersey when the Eagles called Monday. This will be his third trip to the Super Bowl. He went twice with the Packers when Eagles coach Andy Reid was an assistant under Mike Holmgren. Thomason spent three seasons with the Eagles but hasn’t played since 2002. Seven of his 25 catches with Philadelphia were touchdowns.

Thomason said he’s using his two weeks’ vacation to moonlight as a football player.

“When I get back, I’ll have to work a year straight without vacation,” he said.

– Associated Press