WASHINGTON -- Sen. Arlen Specter backed off a threat to have

a Senate subcommittee investigate whether the NFL and the

Philadelphia Eagles violated antitrust laws in their handling of

Terrell Owens.

Specter, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said

Tuesday that he talked to lawyers in the Department of Justice

about the issue.

"I think it's more a matter for them than us because we've got

... a lot of matters which take precedence over this for our own

time," said Specter, R-Pa.

Specter did not say Tuesday whether the Justice Department

indicated it will look into the matter.

Early next year his committee will conduct a confirmation

hearing for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito.

On Monday, Specter said it was "vindictive and inappropriate"

for the league and the Eagles to prohibit the All-Pro receiver from

playing and prevent other teams from talking to him, and he might

refer the matter to the subcommittee. He added that he was "not a

supporter of Terrell Owens."

The Eagles suspended Owens on Nov. 5 for four games without pay

for "conduct detrimental to the team," and deactivated him with

pay Sunday after the suspension ended.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch said last week the team's actions were

supported by the labor agreement between the league and the NFL

Players Association.