Vick Seems to be on Path to Playing, But ...
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Vick Seems to be on Path to Playing, But ...
Daily News staff and Les Bowen
Michael Vick was healthy enough to participate in the Eagles' walkthrough this morning and does not have a "whole lot of concussion symptoms," the team said.
Athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said Vick's Impact concussion baseline testing Tuesday was "very close to normal." He will have another Impact test either today or tomorrow.
Burkholder said Vick has a sore neck and jaw, however. He was on the field for the team's afternoon practice, wearing a visor instead of a helmet, unlike the other QBs. Reporters are only permitted to watch the first 10 minutes of the Wednesday practice, which is pretty much a warmup. Vick tossed a ball and conferred with assistant coach Duce Staley.
Vick will see an independent neurologist within the next two days, but the first step is seeing how he does tomorrow after exercise today.
Burkholder said Vick is "right in the middle of this process" and that he is progressing at the expected rate. Burkholder said he is not focused on whether Vick will play Sunday against the Giants, but instead just going through the concussion protocol process. An MRI on Monday was negative.
Coach Andy Reid said if Vick is cleared to play Sunday, he will play. But a detour at any point in the process could change the outlook.
Reid was not sure how much Vick will do this afternoon in practice. "Every hour is an important hour," Reid said. If Vick does not practice, Mike Kafka and Vince Young will split the first-team reps. Kafka seems much more likely to play against the Giants than Young, off Kafka's strong performance in the relief of Vick Sunday night.
Reid said he will get all three quarterbacks ready to potentially play Sunday against the Giants. He said the Eagles are "pretty lucky" to have three QBs who can all get in there and play. His message to the QBs was "Get ready accordingly."
Young has missed the first two games because of a hamstring injury. Asked if Young was 100 percent, Reid said, "We'll see how he does this week."
Reid said he was not looking to bring in a fourth quarterback.
* In other injury news: Darryl Tapp (pectoral strain) and Juqua Parker (ankle) will not practice today. Tapp said he is improving, but still in the rehab process.
* The MRI on tight end Brent Celek's sore lower back was negative and he will practice today, Reid said.
* Reid said wide receiver Steve Smith is pretty close to where he needs to be physically following knee surgery. He said Smith's skill level is the same as it was but he needs to get more comfortable in the offense. Obviously, the Eagles are facing Smith's former team, the Giants, this week.
* Reid said if the Eagles are shorthanded at defensive end with the injuries on the line, then Cullen Jenkins could slide outside to end, if needed.
* The same three starting linebackers will be starting this week, Reid said. He didn't say they would all be in the same spots.
* In news from the Giants camp, wide receiver Domenik Hixon has torn the ACL in his right knee for the second time in 15 months. Wide receiver Mario Manningham is going through the concussion testing process, much as Vick is, after he was concussed Monday night against the Rams.
Vick should play. I don't think he's that banged up. We need him and i don't think putting him in there is going to harm him— PG- We'll have to see how that thing goes.— 1980
- Somehow,I get the feeling you've never played organized football...— ctfan
- Come on. A tough guy like Vick isn't ready???. He was tough enough to torture innocent animals. That takes a big man. Sure he's tough enough. I would love to see him meet up with Mr. Tuck on Sunday.— sackvicknow
- He's ready, read the article. And let your vengeful little fatal attraction go, loser. — ahab
- I'm utterly shocked that someone named "sackvicknow" would be less than fully objective regarding this matter... — Bobby G
- It would be great if Vick could play, but I am not counting on it. I am less concerned about his concussion, it's the mobility and sore neck that may limit him
- Reid will put him or not put him in position to win based on what the docs say.....or not...the same 3 starting LBs will start, but in 3 different positions so that they are in a better position for us to win...homina, homina, homina....I have a headache listening to the man trying to explain anything.....— Mark1npt
- "Get ready accordingly." That's a new one from Andy.
— P Even 
Comment removed.- That's on me, but I'm not gonna get into all that.— 1980
- This discussion is more moronic than usual. Toughness has nothing to do with the correct steps for dealing with a concussion. Andy rarely says anything of value at press conferences. If Vick is cleared he will obviously play. We need fewer turnovers and an ability to stop huge runs if we want to win and get this back on track. A great season could be in store for the Eagles, but better play has to start now.— JohnFC
- "Vick should play. I don't think he's that banged up. We need him and i don't think putting him in there is going to harm him"
And you are qualified to assess his condition because ...? Look, I loved playing football when I was younger and I love watching it now. But when people like Reggie White die young, when a 35 year old former player can hardly walk on bad days from his injuries, I think the sport is right to try to take better care of its players and try to reduce the risk to them of lifelong injuries.
I hope he's healthy enough. He's fun to watch and will be tough for the Gmen to defend. But Kafka's a very good option and there's still the rest of the season. Let him sit if he needs to.— Midwest FA
