Washington coach Mike Shanahan told reporters Sunday that quarterback Donovan McNabb may not be ready for the season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 12.

"I don't know for sure," Shanahan said at a news conference. "That's why it's day by day. We'll see how it goes."

McNabb has been off the field since spraining his left ankle Aug. 21 in an exhibition against Baltimore. Neither McNabb nor backup Rex Grossman will play in the Redskins' final exhibition, Thursday against Arizona. Washington's other quarterbacks are recently acquired Jon Beck and Richard Bartel of Grapevine.

Gerry Fraley