CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dallas receiver Terrell Owens underwent an MRI exam on Sunday that confirmed he suffered a high left ankle sprain during the Cowboy's 20-13 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday.
Owens was injured during the second quarter, but X-rays showed no break and he left the stadium on crutches. Nose tackle Jay Ratliff and cornerback Terence Newman were also injured but were able to return to the game.
No timetable is set for his return, but it's hard to imagine Owens would even try playing the regular-season finale Sunday in Washington.
"It could've been worse," Owens said Saturday night. "I'm just going to follow the doctors' orders and take it day-to-day. I'm not going to rush anything. The bye week helps."
Owens' leg got caught underneath him when he was tackled by Jon Beason on a 4-yard catch in the second quarter. After limping around on the sideline for several minutes, Owens walked to the locker room.
"I'm a little sore and in a little pain, I've been through this before," Owens said."
Owens had five catches for 48 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown catch, before he was injured. The touchdown was Owens' team-record 15th of the season.
Ratliff was being checked on the sideline for an apparent knee injury, but returned in the second half and recorded a sack. Ratliff has been the starting nose tackle since taking over for Jason Ferguson in Week 2. Ratliff also recently signed a five-year extension. Newman limped off the field in the second quarter, but was back on the field for the second half. Both players did return.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press