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.
***
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.
***
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.
- Sadly, the game has surpassed Vick on top of his age. What used to be an asset, has become a liability. He's getting run down by guys twice his size. I also think RGIII's years are numbered because his body won't stand up to the beating he will take because of his style. My opinion has NOTHING to do with race.
Vick a victim? lol. These two words don't belong in the same sentence unless Vick is the originator of said victimization.— Breaking Bad- I would be too.— BleedPhilly
- Vick was concussed in that Arizona game just before he stood on the 7 yard line, dazed, and waited for the defensive back to hit him from the front, knock the ball away and run the other way for a TD.
The man took some punishment all year. It's not a surprise that it finally caught up with him.— TongueWagger - The Vick situation is very interesting. If he's still suffering from a concussion, he shouldn't be playing. If he's cleared to play, I would like to see the Eagles continue to start Foles so that they (Howie, not Andy) can continue to evaluate him. I'd also like to see Trent Edwards as the No. 2 and Vick as the No. 3. It would be nice to know whether Edwards, an experienced starter, is worthy of sticking around as the back-up if the Eagles shed Vick this offseason.— Roll Tide!
- DUMP VICK....he is a trouble maker and has split this team apart....DUMP VICK NOW....— jim35
- Vick is always trouble...you knew this Vick fiasco would get ugly sooner or later...now Vick is accusing the Eagles who gave him a $100 million contract...DUMP VICK NOW and move on from this huge mistake..— jim35
- I guess all the non-racists that salivate at a chance to comment on Vick's intellectual capacity and character are themselves above reproach.— Progressive215
- Eagles should just release Vick now like they did Babin....Vick is nothing but trouble...DUMP VICK NOW and move on...— jim35
- I heard Vick was just about cleared to play and then the trainer asked him what his name what and he said Ron Mexico— bigdfia
- Vick, Howard, Bynum...the three cooked gooses!— fafink
- I knew I wouldn't be the first to wonder if Vick could pass the test before being concussed.— PhillySubsMac
- The sneak Vick has his PR firm give the story to ESPN that Vick is a victim of Eagles conspiracy...— jim35
- When the Eagles signed Vick the signed a deal with the devil....it has destroyed the franchise in every which way and was the worse move in eagles history...This guy a victim??????PLEASE!!!!He created victims is not one himself. He should be forever thankful to the Eagles because if it wasnt for them today he would either be back in jail or living in some alley somewhere.— flyers1000
- I a failed season, it is time to commit to the kids to see who is worth building around for the future which doesn
t incude Michael Vick. Shady McCoy is the # 1 next year and let him rwst to avoid a second cuncussion in a dead season. There is going to be a big housecleaning and next year may be a real rebuilding year so this is the time to let the kids play. We need to know what we have in Brown and we need to know if Rodgers-Cromartie is worth making an offer to. Many of the present crew of older players wil not be back. Accept that this is a tem that is completely out of it and Andy Reid is a hero for taking the abuse---even though much of the disaster is of his own making. He is gone at the end of the year. Let's simply make this a going away party for a guy who gave us `14 years---MOSTLY good ones.— gotedge
