Vick, Eagles Deny Concussion Rift
Eagles coach Andy Reid hotly denied an ESPN report that concussed quarterback Michael Vick "thinks he's a victim of politics" amid repeated failures to pass baseline testing that would allow Vick to return to the field.
Vick, Eagles Deny Concussion Rift
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Eagles coach Andy Reid hotly denied an ESPN report that concussed quarterback Michael Vick "thinks he's a victim of politics" amid repeated failures to pass baseline testing that would allow Vick to return to the field.
Reid said he has spoken with Vick and there is no disagreement over the handling of his treatment. The Eagles have started rookie Nick Foles in the two games since Vick went down, and at 3-8, it's plausible that they might want to stick with Foles.
Eagles head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said the imPACT test Vick is struggling to pass is graded by league concussion experts in Pittsburgh, not by the Eagles. "There's no conspiracy," Burkholder said.
Vick later released a statement through a spokesman:
"I want to thank my fans for the thousands of well-wishes. I also appreciate the support of the entire Eagles organization. I feel strong and healthy. As a professional athlete, I want to play in every game, but the NFL has a specific protocol to protect players. My focus is to complete this process successfully, so I can rejoin my team on the field."
Burkholder said Vick has reached a plateau in his recovery. He can run without symptoms, but complicated eye-tracking triggers balance problems and fatigue. Eye-tracking is part of the test Vick must pass. Burkholder said the team has been approaching this as something that can be rehabbed, and he hopes Vick can pass the imPACT test Monday.
Burkholder said running back LeSean McCoy is in the second of the five recovery phases, able to undertake light exercise. "His symptoms are down to almost nothing," Burkholder said. "His major complaint is fatigue."
Burkholder said that unlike Vick, McCoy has passed the imPACT test, but can't be cleared while he's still experiencing symptoms.
Obviously, Vick and McCoy will not play Sunday at Dallas.
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The Eagles elevated their 2012 sixth-round WR, Marvin McNutt, to the active roster. They still have one open space as they enter the weekend.
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Center Dallas Reynolds (ankle) was a full practice participant. Though Reynolds is listed as questionable for Sunday, one would have to think he is going to play. That would move Evan Mathis back to left guard.
Still in Mississippi after a death in the family was defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Andy Reid said Cox will join the team in Dallas. He also is listed as questionable, with a tailbone bruise, but is expected to play.
Seems I owe Vick and apology. I had thought it was him doing a "for who..for what" on us about wanting to get back in behind this line as he seemed to want out after the game before he was injuried.
Now it seems it was Reid trying to use it as a way to see what Foles offers. I don't blame Reid for that as Vick was horrible all season and hope he is gone after the season— connorjr- well, if the Eagles deny it, then you can almost be certain it must be true. lol— KingOfPhilly
- well, if the Eagles deny it, then you can almost be certain it must be true. lol— KingOfPhilly
- The imPACT test is biased.— Relocator
- @fafink: How did Howard get into the discussion? The injury he had takes a long time to heal. Also, has he been any more prone to injury than Utley?— 76erfn
- @Zeru: the Eagles need to back up the truck and start over. By starting over, that means Vick is one of the many who has to go. For the Eagles to reach the Super Bowl, a whole new group of players has to be brought in. Vick, like Iverson when with the 76ers, is worth the price of admission, but neither of them are/were easy to build a championship team around. The Eagles sold the Eagles fans(and also fans of Vick)on the idea that Donovan McNabb was the reason the Eagles lost in AZ in 2008, and in Dallas in 2009, and that Kolb or Vick would correct all that. Hopefully, in the near future, Philly teams will attract more executives and players who value winning a title more than proving critics(and former players)wrong, or that they can live without them.— 76erfn
If Reid "hotly denies it", then you can bet the farm it's true. Reid wouldn't know the truth if it slapped the roast pork sandwich out of his pie hole.- I trust Reid about as much as I can throw him.— watsonmr
- Chip Kelly your phone is ringing please say yes I'lldrive you to the LINC— 658012
- This comment has been deleted.— HappyHarry
- You idiot, there are worse things a human can do than kill dogs, like kill and rape people. Or like kill innocent citizens, thousands of them, like this government did in Vietnam and Iraq, but of course that's on account of "freedom" right? So killing little kids is alright and strafing them with napalm as long as somebody in power can justify it, but killing dogs makes you the worst person on earth? I'm not saying that he's a moral exemplar, but he paid his debt pal, so get over it you whiny jerk. — asonepraise
- While I agree with you about the wars and killing of innocents in the name of "Freedom". That still does not make him any better. The taking of any life for self entertainment is morally wrong. Life is life whether human or not and moral people do not care that a human life is held higher by the same corrupt lawmakers that justify foreign aggression. — 4in5out7gone
- I don't believe ANYTHING THIS ORGANIZATION SAYS!
- watsonmr, that's niice! My thought is to give Foles the rest of the year to prove himself. If not, then... the Eagles should consider cutting Vick and re-signing him for a fraction of the salary. I think with a SANE coach, Vick can be a sucessful QB. I think with a decent OL, and some SANE play calling Vick can do the job. Would I rather have an elite QB?, yes! But, in reality, the Eagles are in trouble. What are the options? Reach for a Matt Barkley? Sign Alex Smith? I don't know; maybe bringing back Vick at a reduced price is the best option.— chocolatethunder
- Of course bringing back Vick at a reduced price, assumes Howie will spend the money saved on other postion players. I know that is a big leap of faith.— chocolatethunder
