AROUND THE NFL : Eagles Get Big Lift From McNabb

Donovan McNabb did more than outplay fellow rookie quarterback Tim Couch. He helped the seemingly hopeless Philadelphia Eagles avoid their first winless exhibition season in 23 years.

McNabb, playing with the third-team offense, threw three touchdown passes to lead the Eagles’ 30-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns Thursday night in Philadelphia.

McNabb was 14-for-24 passing for 93 yards, while Couch--the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s draft--was five for nine for 41 yards with an interception.

McNabb, the second overall draft pick, also outperformed starter Doug Pederson, who threw an interception on the Eagles’ first series that was returned for a touchdown by Marquez Pope and finished nine for 16 for 45 yards.

Philadelphia was 1-3 in exhibition games; Cleveland was 2-3.

In other exhibition games Thursday night:

* Kurt Warner, who became St. Louis’ starting quarterback when Trent Green suffered a season-ending knee injury last week, completed nine of 14 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown for the Rams (2-2) in a 17-6 victory over the Detroit Lions (1-3) at Pontiac, Mich. Warner has played in only one regular-season NFL game.

Running back Marshall Faulk ran for 40 yards in 10 carries and caught Warner’s touchdown pass, a six-yard play. Greg Hill, traded by the Rams to the Lions earlier this week because of the presence of Faulk, dressed but did not play.

* Undrafted rookie Basil Mitchell from Texas Christian caught two second-half touchdown passes and the Green Bay Packers (4-0) used instant replay to negate a touchdown on a kickoff return in a 25-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins (2-2) at Green Bay.

With Green Bay leading 22-14 late in the third quarter, Kio Sanford received a kickoff and headed toward the left sideline. Shortly before hurdling two defenders around the Dolphins’ 20, he appeared to step out of bounds. The officials made no call, and Sanford continued to the end zone. Green Bay Coach Ray Rhodes appealed, and after reviewing the play, officials ruled Sanford had stepped out.

Miami had several players leave the game with injuries, including unpredictable defensive end Dimitrius Underwood (separated shoulder).

* Al Del Greco missed a 32-yard field goal with eight seconds left as the New Orleans Saints (2-2) got a reprieve in a 12-11 victory over the Tennessee Titans (1-3) at Nashville, Tenn. On the previous play, Del Greco kicked a 37-yard field goal but referees called the Saints for a false start before the snap.

* A pass interference penalty on DeAuntae Brown in the end zone set up a one-yard touchdown run by Keith Elias with five seconds remaining for the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) in their 31-28 victory over the Seattle Seahawks (2-2) at Indianapolis.

* John Kasay’s 61-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Carolina Panthers (2-2) to a 23-20 victory over the New England Patriots (1-3) at Charlotte, N.C. The winning kick, which cleared the cross bar by inches, came after Adam Vinatieri tied the game with a 58-yard field goal with three seconds left. Carolina’s Spencer Reid downed an on-side kick at the New England 44-yard line with one second left.

* The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) got an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown by Reggie Barlow and a 44-yard field goal from Mike Hollis in the first quarter of a 27-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys (1-4) at Irving, Texas.

NFL Notes

Green Bay rookie punter Josh Bidwell needs further treatment for testicular cancer and will be sidelined this season. Green Bay claimed rookie Chris Hanson on waivers from Cleveland. . . . The New York Giants will start the regular season without cornerback Jason Sehorn, who has been slow to recover from a hamstring injury. . . . Eric Swann, Arizona’s standout defensive tackle recovering from major surgery on his arthritic right knee, said he hopes to be playing in six to eight weeks. . . . J’Juan Cherry, a cornerback from Arizona State, was chosen by New England in a supplemental draft. Cherry, who was dropped from the Arizona State team last summer for violating team rules, was taken in the fourth round, meaning New England will forfeit its fourth-round pick in next year’s draft. . . . Center Jay Leeuwenburg signed a one-year contract with Cincinnati two days after being released by Indianapolis.