IS LISTENING TO SPORTSWEEK'S PODCAST
OAKLAND -- Kevin Kolb is the third quarterback for today's Eagles-Raiders game. That means only Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick are active. Kolb can only be used in the case of an emergency. If he enters the game before the fourth quarter, McNabb and Vick can't re-enter.
Therefore, if McNabb gets hurt early, Vick is likely the next guy in -- unless the Eagles take the risk that McNabb can't return and insert Kolb. They could throw Vick, who will otherwise be used in the Eagles' Wildcat formations, out there for a series or two until they determine the severity of McNabb's injury.
Coach Andy Reid has deemed Kolb his No. 2 quarterback and that appears to still be the case based on the backup's play in the two games in which McNabb was hurt. Vick, who replaced McNabb last week during garbage time, has been shaky in his few opportunities to run the offense.
The Eagles are taking a slight chance not dressing all three quarterbacks as they did last week. But they obviously wanted to have another active player in place of a third quarterback that wouldn't likely play.
The other inactives for the Eagles are: WR Brandon Gibson, CB Dimitri Patterson, LB Joe Mays, G Mike McGlynn, G Todd Herremans, WR Kevin Curtis and DE Jason Babin.
Curtis (knee) will not dress for the third straight game. Patterson (quadriceps) and Herremans (foot) are out with injuries. The remaining inactives are healthy scratches.
Darren Howard is active and should play. The defensive end was listed as probable for today's game with a toe contusion. Defensive tackle Trevor Laws, who didn't dress last week, is active, as is defensive tackle Antonio Dixon.
