After two-TD game, TE Lewis out for Super Bowl
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles' thin receiving corps has lost another key member, and whether its star makes it back for the Super Bowl is still uncertain.
Tight end Chad Lewis, who caught two touchdown passes in Philadelphia's 27-10 victory over Atlanta in the NFC championship game Sunday, will miss the Super Bowl with a foot injury.
Meanwhile, All-Pro wide receiver Terrell Owens' status is uncertain. Owens has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Dec. 19. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Monday that Owens has made "great progress," and will try to run on the ankle this week.
Lewis, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will have surgery on Wednesday. He was hurt on his second TD grab, a 2-yard catch that sealed the win.
"He was crushed," Reid said. "You sure don't like to see that happen to a veteran player that waited his whole career to get to this thing. He'll survive through it. He'll be down there supporting us, doing everything he can from the sideline."
Lewis spent half the 1999 season with St. Louis, before getting cut and signing with Philadelphia. The Rams won the Super Bowl that season.
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| Chad Lewis had only three TD catches in the regular season, but two Sunday. (Getty Images) |
Eagles All-Pro safety Brian Dawkins missed nine games last season with a similar injury that wasn't as severe and didn't require surgery. In 2000, Eagles running back Duce Staley had surgery and missed the final 13 games, including playoffs, with an injury to the same joint.
Second-year pro L.J. Smith will take Lewis' spot in the starting lineup against New England in the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. Mike Bartrum, also the long snapper, is the only other tight end on the roster. Reid said the team will try to add another tight end this week. Lewis backed up Bartrum as the long snapper.
Lewis, an unrestricted free agent after the season, had 29 catches for 267 yards and three TDs this year. His role had been reduced with the emergence of Smith, a second-round draft pick from Rutgers in 2003.
Lewis originally signed as a rookie free agent with the Eagles in 1997. He was cut two games into the 1998 season and signed with the Rams, only to return to Philadelphia 1½ years later.
Lewis emerged as quarterback Donovan McNabb's favorite target in 2000, catching 69 passes for 735 yards and three TDs to earn the first of his three consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl.
Over the next three seasons, Lewis caught 41, 42 and 23 passes.
