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Dallas Cowboys' Owens says he'll play vs. Giants
RVING – Terrell Owens isn't allowing any gray area regarding his status for Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants.
"I'm going to play," the Cowboys receiver told the NFL Network's Deion Sanders, who asked what level Owens will play at.
"At a high level. I'm not worried about nothing," Owens responded before adding his trademark line, "Get your popcorn ready."
Owens' comments ended a day of wild speculation at Valley Ranch. All week, Owens had been expected to play, and that hope that was buoyed by his return to practice Thursday after missing the team's Wednesday workout.
But coach Wade Phillips was steadfast in his claim that Owens' availability would be determined in the hours leading up to the game.
"Game time," Phillips reiterated after being peppered with questions. "Obviously, he was better today, because he practiced some. It was limited. He did warm up, he did do the warm-up drills and ran routes.
"He limped some, and that's a bigger problem with a receiver than it is an offensive tackle. So he was limited, but he did practice some."
During the 30 minutes of practice open to the media, Owens favored his left ankle, which he sprained in a Dec. 22 victory at Carolina. But he improved as the workout went on.
At first, Owens was rounding off his cuts and breaks, and exhibiting caution in changing direction. Later in the session, he seemed to gain confidence in his injured leg and displayed his trademark acceleration in tracking down deep balls.
Still, the Cowboys weren't ready to take the shackles all the way off. Phillips said Owens participated in some team drills, which take place after the media leaves practice, but was held back in spots.
"I thought that he moved well," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after attending practice. "I thought he competed right around the level that we practiced at. Those [plays] weren't half-speed out there. It is a decision that needs to be made at game time. We know how critical this is. Nothing else happens if we don't win this game.
"On the other hand, his availability will be determined probably in large part on what kind of risk is involved on not having him for later games. He obviously can run a route, but I think it is a very legitimate game-time decision. He's in very good spirits, very competitive spirits, very focused on our success here Sunday."
Phillips said he had nothing to gain by lying about Owens' status, but allowed coaches are sometimes "coy" about such subjects.
TO, "Get your popcorn ready"
TO, "Get your popcorn ready"
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