McNabb has cracked rib
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb has cracked rib
Daily News staff
The Eagles won their season opener, 38-10, over the Carolina Panthers, but the bigger issue is concern over the state of quarterback Donovan McNabb's rib injury.
After the game, coach Andy Reid said, McNabb fractured his rib, but would not specify how long McNabb would be out. "We'll just see how he does in the next little while here."
Asked if there was a chance that McNabb could play next week against New Orleans, Reid said, "There's a chance."
"We’ll see. The game just got over. We’re taking it day-by-day and see how he does."
McNabb bulled into the end zone for a TD that made it 38-10 midway through the third quarter, but he was hit lying on the ground by Damione Lewis and stayed down for quite a while.
Team orthopedist Peter DeLuca seemed to be working on McNabb's upper back, but the injury was later diagnosed as a rib injury.
After walking off the field under his own power, McNabb left for the locker room. He returned shortly thereafter to the sideline, but removed his shoulder pads and left for the locker room with about 7 minutes remaining. He looked quite uncomfortable while on the bench and a number of teammates came over to talk to him.
McNabb finished the day at 10-for-18, for 79 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.
The league presumably also will review the play to see about a potential fine on Lewis for a late hit. None was called on the play.
"The guy’s momentum was going forward," Reid said. "They didn’t call it. I will presume it was legal. I really haven’t gotten a clean picture."
McNabb will not speak to reporters after the game, the Eagles said.
A serious injury would be a major concern because Kevin Kolb has not looked promising in relief, including a turnover. Michael Vick, who is watching the game from a luxury box with owner Jeffrey Lurie, is not eligible to play until Week 3 against Kansas City and is on the exempt list. The Eagles did not designate a third quarterback for today's game.
"It’s part of this game," receiver DeSean Jackson said. "He’s a tough dude. He’s been around a long time. He will be back."
"He’s very resilient. He heals quick," Brian Westbrook said of McNabb. "He’s not going to sleep very well the next few nights. You’ve got to deal with the pain. That is the toughest part."
Some other thoughts from Andy Reid ...
On Sean McDermott: "I think he had a good game plan. The defensive staff did a nice job and the players played like crazy. I was proud of that group."
On the offensive line: "They were productive, a couple too many false starts. We'll get that ironed out and go from there."
More to come ...
Lonewolf is mentally challeged, go Kolb? Are you serious (please say you were joking). Kolb stunk worse than rotten meat.— taycom- Lonewolf is mentally challeged, go Kolb? Are you serious (please say you were joking). Kolb stunk worse than rotten meat.— taycom
- Why is it a circus when the team crushed Carolina?????? They looked great and Andy has the team ready to roll - yet fans look at it as a "circus"— TheMan
- Better chance with AJ next week— m82492
- Donnie will have a tough night sleeping...more sore than usual. The TEAM looked good. Kolb didn't look good - but - he was mopping up a game everyone knew was over. Who knows what happens when he practices wiht the 1st team all week. One down - 15 to go!— ziggy
- @ Lonewolf Don't be so obnoxious! He saw an opening and took it. All too often the Eagles were accused of being soft and letting teams hang on. McNabb goes for the gusto and you attack him. As an Eagles fan, having Kolb in makes me very nervous. He looks All-Pro against 2nd and 3rd stringers but he looks very ordinary and that's putting it nicely.— JmH Reborn
- lonewolf .... more genius commentary He didn't see anyone open. You prefer him to take a sack? Throw it away? You'd be criticizing the spit out of him if he gave up the opportunity to score a TD with his legs and calling him a wuss. It is a split second decision - and without accounting for a possible late hit, was smart and right thing to do. I expected you to remain under your rock after the game today... but, alas...— davids44
- Hello Eagle Faithful, Okay, up 21but still in the 4th Q. My bet is lonewolf 10 got cut from the varsity in hish school. Never played down 1, did you lad? # 5 will start next week and keep on ticking. As long as #36 gets on the bus, we're fine. I say Eagles go 12-4, make the SB and lonewolf 10, oops, I mean lonewolf O complains about something else. If it walks and talks like a duck, it's a duck!— Burgh
Comment removed.- Lonewolf likes to stir the pot - he bleeds green but wants to see his name in posts every day. Kolb looked bad...no argument there...but it may be a result of the people around him and where they were in the game. McNabb looked ordinary, but he did what it takes to WIN. The defense looked good. The OL looked good (a few mistakes) - they run blocked well.— ziggy
- Can Kolb beat the Saints? I think so, I mean, yeah Drew Brees looked good against a Lions team that couldn't play dead. We need a tremendous defensive effort against the Saints. A frenzied home crowd plus a heavy dose of BWest and McCoy should be enough to be New Orleans...— PhillysOwnSon
- The good news is, New Orleans' defense just gave up 27 points to Detroit. Even if Donovan plays at 75%, the offense might be enough. Yeah, they didn't gain a bunch of yards today, but they didn't need to cuz the defense kept putting them in great field position. Plus, cracked ribs aren't something you can cast to heal; it's just gonna hurt like a mother for a couple weeks, but you can play with it.— moderndaymesh
- QB won't matter if we keep forcing 7 turnovers every week. :)— 88etrain
- It should be obvious to everyone by now that McNabb is finished after this year. He has reached the point that you just can't depend on him because of his history of injuries. He had a really good run here but it is time to plan for the future.— mindstorms
- Lone-you have to be kidding me right? So he goes for the score and u critcize him b/c we were up by 21. If we didn't score, you would have some off comment about how our "franchise" QB can't get it done. Your boy's job is to come off the bench as if he were starting. He had only 1 drive that wasn't a 3 and out drive. Say what you want, but your boy didn't show anything, again...he played like a pile of— phigglesfan75
