Dallas star receiver Terrell Owens limped through Cowboys practice on Monday, and his status for Sunday's NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Giants remains in question.
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Owens' teammates expect him to play, although coach Wade Phillips said T.O. likely would be a game-time decision.
"Absolutely, we're all counting on him playing," Dallas tight end Jason Witten said. "He's a tough guy.
Nobody wants it more than he wants it himself to get out there and play. He's a quick healer, and he looked good out there, I thought."
Owens suffered a high ankle sprain Dec. 22 in Charlotte, and the injury, which usually requires several weeks for recovery, had him limping around the Cowboys' training complex Monday. By the time the Cowboys take the field Sunday, he will have had three weeks to recover since he sat out the season finale and Dallas is coming off a bye week.
"It was a limp-through for him, a walk-through for us," Phillips said. "It looks to me like he's going to be a game-time decision. He probably couldn't have played today."
Owens led the NFC with 15 touchdown catches, four of them in the Cowboys' two games with the Giants. They came on passes of 22, 25, 47 and 50 yards as Owens totaled nine receptions for 212 yards."From his history, from his toughness, his ability to withstand those kind of things, I think those are all positives," Phillips said. "But you still don't want to put him in harm's way."
Owens, who has 81 catches for 1,355 yards during the season, didn't talk to the media, and team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said Owens didn't plan to until after the game.
"I don't know if 81 (Owens) is at full strength, but he's good enough to where he said he was going to practice this week so he can get some timing back and everything," said Dallas receiver Patrick Crayton, who would be the team's No. 1 receiver if Owens can't go.
"That's a big weapon. Anytime you get all your weapons back, defenses have to scheme for it. That's one more weapon they have to worry about."
Phillips is determining "what percentage" the receiver is going to be healthy before deciding if he will practice or play.
"If he were able to practice Wednesday or Thursday, Friday maybe, it'd clarify things a little easier," Phillips said. "If he can't (practice), that's why I said it'd have to be a game-time decision.
Last week, Owens removed the boot he had been wearing since suffering the injury. He has 50 catches for 702 yards with four touchdowns in 11 postseason games.
The Cowboys (13-3) have beaten the Giants (11-6) twice entering Sunday's third meeting at Texas Stadium.
Meanwhile, Dallas WR Terry Glenn practiced fully Monday after making his season debut in the regular-season finale loss to the Redskins.
"It's great to have him and Terry out there," receiver Sam Hurd said. "TG hasn't had any reps, so he'll have very fresh legs."
However, Glenn likely won't be able to play more than 25 snaps as he works back into game shape.Bet on Cowboys-Giants at WagerWeb.com
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