ASHBURN, Va. -- Running back Stephen Davis' season might be over -- along with his career with the Washington Redskins.

Davis separated his right shoulder Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles and had the injury re-examined Monday. He is definitely out for this Sunday's game against Houston and might not play in the season finale against Dallas.

If the Redskins release Davis in the offseason to save salary cap space, as expected, the 15-yard run in which he was injured will stand as Davis' last carry in burgundy and gold.

"It's tough to accept. I can't do nothing about it,'' Davis said. "There's a possibility I might be somewhere else.''

Davis has been a crowd favorite since he was a fourth-round draft pick from Auburn in 1996, and he's second only to Darrell Green in team seniority. He's the first player in franchise history to run for 1,000 yards three years in a row.

Despite chants imploring pass-happy coach Steve Spurrier to "Run the Ball!'' at the last home game, Davis has no real place in the Redskins' new offense. Spurrier likes backs who can dart and juke and catch passes for big yardage, not grind-it-out power types who get 4 yards up the middle.

Davis, scheduled to count $11.4 million against the salary cap next season, is therefore considered expendable.

"Stephen is a guy who wants the ball 20, 25 times a game,'' linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said. "And the running back is not the focal part in this offense.''

Spurrier deferred questions about Davis' future until the end of the season. However, when asked about Davis' popularity, the coach said he's not keeping players around just because they're well liked.

Davis has 820 yards on 207 carries this season -- well off his usual pace in both categories. Because of his ballooning contract, the Redskins will either have to renegotiate or cut him this offseason. They have given no indication they plan to renegotiate.