Donovan McNabb could be out between eight and 12 months after having surgery yesterday to repair a torn knee ligament.

McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl quarterback, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to Tennessee last week. It was his third season-ending injury in mid-November in the past five years.

Renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews performed the reconstructive knee surgery in Birmingham, Ala. Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said McNabb also needed expected repairs to his meniscus, fibers and cartilage in the knee.

He added there was a "good" chance McNabb will be healthy for Philadelphia's season opener, which would be about nine months.

Jeff Garcia replaced McNabb as the starter and the Eagles lost, 45-21, Sunday night to Indianapolis to fall to 5-6 after a 4-1 start.

Chiefs

Running back Priest Holmes will not return this season. But Kansas City general manager Carl Peterson said that recent medical tests on Holmes have been encouraging and Holmes hopes to return for the 2007 season. The three-time Pro Bowler, who turned 33 a month ago, has not played since Oct. 30, 2005, when he was injured on a hit by Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman in a game at San Diego. The hit left him with head and neck trauma, diagnosed by three spinal specialists.

Jets

Offensive lineman Adrian Jones apologized to the team and his family, three days after being charged with driving while intoxicated. Jones, 25, was fined $20,000 by the team and will be monitored by the NFL as a result of being a first-time offender of the league's substance abuse policy. Jones was arrested at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday after he was stopped by police on Merrick Avenue near Hempstead Turnpike -- about a mile from the team's training facility -- for allegedly driving slowly and making an unsafe lane change.

Redskins

Washington signed kicker Shaun Suisham to the practice squad, effectively putting Nick Novak on notice after another inconsistent performance. Novak has made only 5 of 10 field-goal attempts this year.

Texans

Pro Bowl kick returner Jerome Mathis was moved to Houston's active roster. Mathis missed the first 11 games recovering from a fractured foot.

Browns

Right tackle Ryan Tucker will miss the rest of the season because of an undisclosed illness. Tucker was placed on the non-football illness list after missing the second half of a loss against Cincinnati.

Raiders

Oakland replaced offensive coordinator Tom Walsh, promoting tight ends coach John Shoop to take charge of the team's struggling offense.