updated 7:58 p.m. ET Nov. 29, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Sen. Arlen Specter backed off a threat to have a Senate subcommittee investigate whether the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles violated antitrust laws in their handling of Terrell Owens.

Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Tuesday that he talked to lawyers in the Department of Justice about the issue.

“I think it’s more a matter for them than us because we’ve got ... a lot of matters which take precedence over this for our own time,” said Specter, R-Pa.

Specter did not say Tuesday whether the Justice Department indicated it will look into the matter.

Early next year his committee will conduct a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

The Terrell Owens saga      McNabb rips T.O. for wanting white QB Ventre: Donovan becoming the new T.O. Vote: Do you agree with McNabb? Ex-Eagle Douglas: McNabb not a leader Chiefs join others in pursuit of Owens Expert: Market for T.O. will be hot Timeline of Owens' controversies   Slide show: A controversial career

On Monday, Specter said it was “vindictive and inappropriate” for the league and the Eagles to prohibit the All-Pro receiver from playing and prevent other teams from talking to him, and he might refer the matter to the subcommittee. He added that he was “not a supporter of Terrell Owens.”

The Eagles suspended Owens on Nov. 5 for four games without pay for “conduct detrimental to the team,” and deactivated him with pay Sunday after the suspension ended.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

Arbitrator Richard Bloch said last week the team’s actions were supported by the labor agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association.

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