Philadelphia ? Donovan McNabb’s next important decision won’t be calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.

McNabb was told Thursday to have surgery for a sports hernia that probably would end his season. The Eagles’ quarterback is considering his options. It’s likely he’ll seek other opinions before making a final decision.

Mike McMahon, who had been the third-string quarterback, will start Philadelphia’s game Sunday against the New York Giants. The struggling Eagles already are without standout receiver Terrell Owens, who was suspended four games and told not to return to the team last week.

“Whatever guys we have left have to get the job done,” safety Brian Dawkins said.

McNabb has played through injuries most of the season. He re-injured his groin while trying to tackle Cowboys safety Roy Williams following an interception Monday night. Williams returned it 46 yards for a touchdown with 2:43 left to lead Dallas to a 21-20 comeback victory over the Eagles.

Dr. William Meyers recommended that McNabb have surgery now to correct the sports hernia after an examination Thursday morning.

McNabb had planned to have surgery after the season, but he said Wednesday he wasn’t sure if he’d do it sooner.

“It’s important that we all be on the same page because you don’t want to go through it and hear later that you might have been able to play through it and have the surgery later,” McNabb said before seeing Meyers, a specialist who serves as chairman of surgery at Drexel University.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb sits on the bench after throwing an interception against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles want McNabb to have season-ending surgery to correct a sports hernia.

Sports hernias are most common among male athletes. A diagnosis sometimes can be tricky because, unlike more common hernias, there is not always a visible bulge in the leg or groin area. And with about 18 different variations, sports hernias can range from torn muscles to frayed muscles to a weakness in the abdominal wall.

Sometimes, the symptoms masquerade as a hip joint problem, a groin pull, a strained abdominal muscle or bursitis in the hip.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, McNabb clearly hasn’t been the same quarterback who led the Eagles to the NFC championship game the last four years. He has thrown a costly interception in the fourth quarter in each of the last three games, and has nine picks this season.

He threw just eight interceptions last season when he became the first player in NFL history to throw more than 30 touchdown passes (31) and fewer than 10 interceptions.

“He’s our leader. If he’s out, it’s a major hit,” tight end L.J. Smith said. “It’s definitely a blow to our offense.”

The reigning conference champion Eagles (4-5) have lost three straight games and are last in the NFC East. Now they turn the offense over to McMahon, a fifth-year pro who has started just seven games.

McMahon spent his first four seasons in Detroit, and had a 43.8 completion percentage with 10 TD passes and 13 interceptions. He showed his mobility by running for 273 yards on 46 carries.

“Mike has a strong arm, he has good speed and he makes good decisions,” running back Brian Westbrook said. “I’m confident in his ability to go out and make plays.”