David Bowens, a pass-rushing end expected to be part of the defensive line rotation, tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a knee earlier this week and likely is lost to the Miami Dolphins until at least November.
Harold Lewis, Bowens' agent, said Friday that his client injured a knee Monday when he jumped off a ladder and came down awkwardly after changing a light bulb in his house.
Bowens did not return calls.
Bowens, who turned 26 Thursday, still could return this season, because the tear was clean -- he did not damage any cartilage. Even so, it will cost him in a number of ways. After re-signing as a free agent, he had the chance to earn as much as $1 million in incentives this season. And he said recently that he felt completely healthy, after a series of injuries slowed him in 2002, and waseager to reward the team for sticking by him last season.
