IS BUYING CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
CHARLOTTE -- Donovan McNabb fractured his rib in the Eagles' otherwise celebratory 38-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers today. Head coach Andy Reid didn't give a prognosis on whether McNabb would miss any time, although a team source said that the Eagles quarterback was "doubtful" for next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.
Asked if it was safe to say that McNabb was out for next week, Reid said, "No, that's not safe to say."
McNabb apparently suffered his injury when he was tackled while plunging into the end zone on a three-yard touchdown run. He laid on the ground for a while, finally arose and walked off without assistance. He soon left the field to get examined. McNabb returned in his pads, but did not return to the game.
Reid said that McNabb was out there in case of emergency. Kevin Kolb replaced McNabb, but the Eagles didn't have another quarterback dressed.
"That's why he was out there," Reid said. "I probably would have done everything not to do that. That's why we took his pads off there at the end."
Wide receiver DeSean Jackson confirmed that he was the emergency quarterback if Kolb got hurt, too. Jackson took a few direct snaps in the Wildcat formation today.
Reid said he was confident that Kolb, if need be, would step in and do the the job.
"If it comes to that," Reid said.
Michael Vick will be serving the second game of his two-game suspension next week. He will be reinstated by Week 3. Kolb was ineffective filling for McNabb. He completed 7 of 11 passes for just 23 yards. He was also sacked twice.
The Eagles cut quarterback A.J. Feeley last week. He has not caught on with another team as of yet.
