DeSean has concussion; Reid on the QBs
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
DeSean has concussion; Reid on the QBs
Daily News staff
DeSean Jackson has a concussion, the fifth Eagles player to be diagnosed with a concussion since the regular season began.
On a third-and-6 play in the second quarter from the Falcons' 32. Kevin Kolb, desperate to avoid a sack that would have taken the Birds out of field goal range, flipped a high pass to Jackson across the middle. Jackson got his hands on it, but as he came down, he was separated from the ball, and, apparently, his senses, by a helmet-to-chin hit from Dunta Robinson. Both players went down immediately and did not get up.
Crowds gathered around each man as they lay, a few feet from one another, near the Falcons' sideline. Eventually, both were helped to their feet and walked off the field, supported by a trainer at each shoulder. They disappeared down their respective tunnels.
He was poised to have a breakout day, having run for one touchdown, from 34 yards, and having caught a 34-yard TD strike for the other Eagles score.
“[Jackson] was on fire,” coach Andy Reid said. “He was off to a big day. It’s too bad it happened that way. He’s a tough little nut. Hopefully, he’ll be OK … When they take both players off and neither comes back, that’s a violent collision.”
Reid said he was not aware whether Jackson had lost consciousness. “He was awake when I was out there,” Reid said.
As for Robinson, Falcons coach Mike Smith said: "I know I saw him after the ballgame and he seems to be fine. Of course it was a very violent collision between those two guys. And that’s really all I know. I know that he was not going to be able to come back in the ballgame.”
Jackson's concussion follows those suffered by Kolb, Stewart Bradley, Asante Samuel and Riley Cooper. Antonio Dixon suffered a concussion in training camp.
Reid answered several questions about Michael Vick, who did not arrive at the stadium until 12:15. Reid said he and Vick met and he told Vick that he would only play in an emergency for a handoff or goal line play.
Vick, tabbed as the third quarterback, remained in the locker room and did not dress for the game.
“I kept him in the locker room and kept him away from anything that happened on the field,” Reid said. “I wasn’t going to let him in the game and throw the football. The chances of him getting in were slim to none .. It was completely for an emergency. The coaches already had receivers coached up to take snaps if it was an extended period.”
Pressed again about Vick’s arrival, Reid said, “You’re killing me. I told the kid to show up at 12:15. He showed up at 12:15. That was it. Enjoy the win.”
Reid said Vick was making “huge strides” in recovering from a rib cartilage injury. The Eagles visit Tennessee next Sunday. Reid would not say that Vick would be ready for next week. The Eagles have the bye after the game against the Titans.
Many questions focused on whether Vick would remain the starter, given how Kolb’s play has made Reid’s decision harder.
“This is a beautiful thing,” Reid said. “I told you that before and reiterated it. If you are sitting here with two good quarterbacks, then I’m a happy guy.”
Asked how he would make the decision, Reid said, “Take Michael Kolb and we go play, baby.”
Asked again, Reid said, “That’s what I get paid to do. That’s what I do. I will make the right decision there.”
Kolb lost his job after he suffered a concussion in the opener against Green Bay, although that was more a function of how Vick played when got the chance to start. Could Vick lose his because of injury?
“It’s a crazy thing,” Reid said. “I might have all kinds of surprises. That’s what’s so great about it. Enjoy it. I will promise you we will have one of them out there.”
To read our post on Kevin Kolb's postgame press conference, click here.
Kolb, Vick. Vick,Kolb. Two game ready quarterbacks really is exactly what Andy says, "a beautiful thing. Come an 18 game season, it will be almost impossible to keep one starter upright all year, the Eagle braintrust is just working out the kinks ahead of time. I tell you, the man is on the cutting edge!
i agree.two or three more wins in his career and reid would be a hall of fame type coach.i like the IGGLES and the skill players they have in place.....GO IGGLES(and) PHILLIES!!!!!— malco49
But they won't have both next year...- Play them both. Without Jackson for a couple of weeks probably. Confuse the defense with sets with both Kolb and Vick— retzlaff
- Didn't think Kolb could help team win this game but I glad they did win, give the kid his props he held down the fort, now hopefully Vick gets 100% healthy because we need him back for the down the stretch games.— realtruth
- can we now end this Michael Vick experiment? Kolb is the future of this team. Quarterbacks like vick do not win titles.We have seen it with Randell,Donovan and now Vick. They just end up getting hurt and never run as well again. When do we learn?|— tzeneg
- "Baby Arm" sure looked great today. Andy is correct. It's a nice problem to have.
- Can Vick Catch? He can do the end around thing with an option. This is a good thing.— jjthree
- @tzeneg, you like many others who make such comments just have a problem with black QBs.— realtruth
- A whole lot of quotes from Reid where left out of this. LOL! Folks dont let these reporters manipulate your feelings-Vick is the starter. The NFC East division is not controversial....Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win the division. No controversy at all.— mlr710
- WHY WAS VICK LATE for the game??..........Andy Reid keeps covering up the truth....the media needs to report the facts, and keep Reid from manipulating the media.— Bill20
- actually, randel had an incredible run with the vikings and should have won, at least the nfc title. moss dropped a beauty and, of course, johnson had been perfect all year except that chip shot for the game.— rzzzzz
- Reid doesnt have to name a starter for any week. Puts pressure on the comp. They won't know who to game plan for.— lateofphilly
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
