Add the Rev. Jesse Jackson to the list of high-profile personalities who believes that Terrell Owens deserves to return to the field this season.
Jackson, in fact, became the second former presidential candidate this week to say that Owens should not be banished for the season. He put out a statement on Friday that echoed the feelings of consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who sent letters to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie on Thursday urging the Eagles to "rescind the misguided suspension and planned inactive designation" of the wide receiver.
Unlike Nader, the civil-rights leader spoke to Owens by telephone this week and came away convinced that he was sincere in the apology he issued Tuesday from his home in Moorestown, Burlington County, N.J.
"First of all, I'm a Donovan McNabb fan," Jackson said Friday night in a telephone interview. "I want to get that point out there first. I thought what T.O. said was unsportsmanlike and a detriment to the team. We talked about it, and we had prayer.
"He is really remorseful about what happened, and from what I've seen, Donovan felt he was sincere in his apology, too. If T.O. had done something egregious, I could understand this penalty. But he did not do anything illegal."
COLTS TO PLAY: Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and safety Mike Doss practiced Saturday and were cleared to play against Houston.
Wayne, who has caught 46 passes for a team-leading 563 yards and three touchdowns, is expected to start after being held out of Friday's workout because of an unspecified foot injury.
Doss injured a shoulder in Monday's game with New England. He returned to practice Friday and will play Sunday, although Joseph Jefferson is expected to start.
JETS CB TO MISS GAME: New York Jets starting cornerback David Barrett will miss Sunday's game at Carolina because of an eye injury.