IRVING – When Terrell Owens had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger in January, the veteran receiver said his goal was to catch passes by the end of May. That will have to wait.
Owens will be in attendance at this weekend's minicamp but will not do any on-field work.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Owens has been catching tennis balls during his rehab. It's possible Owens could participate in the second minicamp, June 8-10.
"We're still talking to his doctors, but he's not far from participating," Phillips said.
Owens won't be the only starter unavailable for the three-day minicamp that begins Saturday. Linebacker Greg Ellis, who is coming back from a torn Achilles' tendon, will do some individual work but not any team action. And guard Marco Rivera's future is in doubt because of back surgery.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he wanted to meet with Rivera before making a decision. Rivera, the starting right guard the last two years, would count about $1.2 million against the salary cap if he is cut.
Berlin is released: Quarterback Brock Berlin was waived Thursday. With the addition of undrafted free agent Matt Moore and Tarleton State's Richard Bartel in for a tryout, the Cowboys will have five quarterbacks at minicamp.
Bartel, a Grapevine High School graduate, played at SMU, but started the last two seasons at Tarleton State.
Staff writers Todd Archer, Calvin Watkins contributed to this report.
