McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl quarterback, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of the Eagles' loss to Tennessee last week. It was his third season-ending injury in mid-November in the last 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. He added there was a ``good'' chance McNabb will be healthy for Philadelphia's season opener, which would be about nine months.

``Donovan, with all his injuries, he works hard and expedites it,'' Burkholder said. ``We're setting it up so he can be back for training camp.''

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

The Eagles also learned they'll be without long snapper Mike Bartrum for the rest of the season because of a neck injury. Bartrum, also a third-string tight end, made the Pro Bowl last season on special teams.

McNabb, who turned 30 on Saturday, was having one of the best statistical seasons of his eight-year career. He finished with 2,647 yards passing, 18 TDs, six interceptions and a passer rating of 95.5.

He had surgery for a sports hernia and missed the final seven games last season when Philadelphia finished 6-10 a year after going to the Super Bowl. Mike McMahon was 2-5 as the starter after McNabb went down.

McNabb also sat out the final six regular-season games in 2002 before returning for the playoffs. Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley led the Eagles to a 5-1 record in McNabb's absence.