Neither McNabb nor Sheppard was placed on injured reserve yet, meaning each could return should the Eagles somehow make the playoffs.

Philadelphia signed second-year quarterback Jeff Smoker to the practice squad last week, but is looking at others, including former Pittsburgh Steelers star Kordell Stewart.

The 33-year-old Stewart hasn’t thrown a pass since 2003 with Chicago. He was on Baltimore’s roster last year, and played in one series with the Ravens this season, running for 30 yards on three carries.

Rod Hood replaces Sheppard in the secondary.

Mike McMahon started for McNabb against the Giants, and completed 18 of 39 passes for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for a score and helped the offense move the ball against a tough Giants defense that hadn’t allowed a TD for 13 quarters.

“He did some pretty good things in the second half,” Reid said. “He made some plays, both with his arm and feet. He was able to settle down and was efficient.”

McNabb clearly wasn’t the same quarterback who led the Eagles to the NFC championship game the last four years and went to five straight Pro Bowls. He threw a costly interception in the fourth quarter in each of his last three games, and has nine picks this season.

He threw just eight interceptions last season when he became the first player in NFL history to throw more than 30 touchdown passes (31) and fewer than 10 interceptions.

“I’m sure (injuries) hurt him there a bit. He was battling through it. It was not an easy thing for him,” Reid said.

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Overall, McNabb has passed for 2,507 yards, 16 TDs and has a passer rating of 85.0 this season. A feared runner, McNabb was reluctant to leave the pocket this season. He had just 55 yards rushing on 25 carries, including several kneel-downs.

McNabb’s off-field troubles began when Owens criticized him over the summer and the two didn’t speak for a prolonged period. They clicked on the field, however, with Owens catching 47 passes for 763 yards and six TDs in seven games.

Owens was suspended following a series of incidents, including repeated criticism of McNabb and lashing out at the organization. The Eagles are 0-3 without him.

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An arbitrator is expected to make a decision on Owens’ grievance hearing against the Eagles by noon ET on Wednesday. Owens is hoping to be reinstated or released. The Eagles plan to deactivate him with pay once his suspension is up.

McNabb hurt his chest in the season opener and has been bothered by the sports hernia for months. This will be his first surgery.

Before sitting out Sunday’s game, McNabb started 37 straight, excluding the meaningless regular-season finale last season. He missed a total of seven games due to injury during his first six seasons, including the last six regular-season games in 2002 after breaking his ankle.

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