NFL notes: McNabb has sports hernia surgery

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had season-ending surgery Monday for a sports hernia.

Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said McNabb will be "off his feet" for three weeks. Dr. William Meyers operated at Hahnemann Hospital.

"He thought it went well," Reid said. "He felt good about it."

McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl player, was shut down after nine games and placed on injured reserve last week. He passed for 2,507 yards, 16 TDs, nine interceptions and had a passer rating of 85.0 this season.

The Eagles also are playing without five other starters — All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens (suspended/deactivated), All-Pro cornerback Lito Sheppard (ankle), Pro Bowl tackle Tra Thomas (back), center Hank Fraley (shoulder) and wideout Todd Pinkston (leg).

NGUYEN CONSIDERING RETIREMENT: Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen is considering retirement after being placed on the season-ending injured reserve list with neck and knee injuries.

"He doesn't feel like he can play up to his standard now," coach Bill Parcells said Monday. "I think he's going to consider retirement."

Nguyen missed three games this year with a strained neck, starting with the Oct. 9 game against Philadelphia that ended his 43-game starting streak. He played the past four games but didn't start.

Nguyen, 30, is in his eighth season out of Texas A&M. He has 421 career tackles and led the Cowboys in tackles the past two seasons, the first player to do that since Ken Norton Jr. in 1992-93.

In addition to the neck injury, Nguyen has had knee problems.

"I think it's an accumulation of things at this point," Parcells said. "I just think he's worn out. The first month he felt all right. It's been downhill from there."

The Cowboys have signed 12-year veteran Michael Barrow to take the roster spot.

Barrow hasn't played this season after being released by Washington in July. Barrow had 148 tackles for the New York Giants in 2003 but didn't play last year because of tendinitis in his knee. Parcells said he thinks Barrow is healthy and may play Sunday against the Giants.

EAGLES SIGN PUNTER LANDETA: Sean Landeta, the second-leading punter in NFL history, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

The 43-year-old Landeta begins his second stint with the Eagles and his 21st season in the league. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Landeta spent the last two seasons with the St. Louis Rams and briefly was with the Eagles in training camp.

Punter Nick Murphy and quarterback Andy Hall were released by the Eagles.