But ESPN keeps rolling in the mud. First, we have this story from the Associated Press that Owens didn’t practice today, although it important to note that Terry Glenn did practice in full pads today. Here’s a snippet on Owens from the article:

“It’s day-to-day,” Phillips said, “but we’re going through a plan or process that’s going to try and get him ready, and he’s adhered to that. He works out at home, all the time, trying to get better. This is sometimes, a six- to eight-week injury, sometimes it’s a four-week injury. So we’re trying to get him back in three. That’s where we are.”

Rather harmless right? Oh, it gets way better in this article. Dr. Plaxico Burress, an expert on high-ankle sprains, is urging All-Pro Owens not to play Sunday. And who is scared of whom?

The New York Giants receiver played in 2006 on a gimpy left ankle that had to be surgically repaired after the season, and he’s done the same thing on a sprained right one this year. It’s no wonder Burress gladly offered the Dallas Cowboys‘ Terrell Owens some free advice about getting on the field with his sprained ankle Sunday against the Giants.

“Don’t play!” Burress said with a straight face that lasted a couple seconds.

But the paper of record in Dallas says No. 81 is doing well. He’s healing. You can read the revelation here! Man, so what is really the truth here? Do I need to call Sirius radio again? Because this is getting ridiculous! Two days ago, the NFL reported Owens was still limping and that he’d be a game-time decision.

I like how this guy is reporting the scenario:

Who do the Cowboys think they’re fooling?  Owens could spend three weeks hiking alone through Mongolia, compete in a yak-wrestling event, get on a plane, take a cab directly to the stadium and step into the first huddle of this game.  There is no way T.O. is going to miss this game. This is, of course, just gamesmanship. I realize that all teams do this to some extent, but this is a clumsy attempt from Wade Phillips and the Cowboys.  He’s no Bill Belichick when it comes to faking out the media, that’s for sure.

A high-ankle sprain isn’t an injury that usually knocks players out for a long time. A low-ankle sprain is much more worse.

That’s what we all thought, right? Well, don’t read this then. Trainers and coaches of athletes are often concerned about high ankle sprains?

If the injury is stable, then the high ankle sprain can be treated in a cast, usually for a period of 6 weeks. If the injury is unstable, then a “syndesmotic screw” can be placed between the tibia and fibula to hold the bones in proper position while the syndesmotic ligament heals. The are several methods of fixation of syndesmotic injuries, all with potential risks and benefits. It is a relatively safe and well-tolerated surgical procedure.

A few players didn’t let a high-ankle sprain keep them off the field for very long. Owen Daniels, tight end for the Texans, sustained a sprain the last game of October, but he never missed a game. Laveranues Coles, Jets wide receiver, played almost a month with a high-ankle sprain. Anthony Henry, we know him, sustained a high-ankle spring against the Rams. He missed three games.

Folks, T.O. will be fine. To remind you all of the last time T.O. returned from an injury, let’s watch a 4-minute series of clips from his only Super Bowl appearance. I expect we’ll see this kind of play three weeks from now. And with Terry Glenn expected to be back…I just hope the Patriots are ready.