Eagles' Michael Vick still experiencing concussion symptoms

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is still suffering symptoms almost a week after sustaining a concussion, including headaches, fatigue, heavy eyes, and fogginess.

He has officially been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, and there is no timetable for his return. Rookie quarterback Nick Foles will start in Vick's place.

Vick will spend the weekend in a dark, quiet area and must avoid exercising and watching video.

"He's not very alert right now in terms of he just doesn't have that energy," head trainer Rick Burkholder said. "He's tired all the time, he's slept a lot, and he's not getting rid of that fatigue. When I talk to him, he's just not the Michael Vick I know when he's healthy."

Before Vick can even consider returning to the field, there are major steps he needs to take. He underwent an ImPACT test Friday to examine cognitive function. Burkholder said Vick was still "below baseline." Vick will take the same test Monday. Once he clears that test, Vick will undergo an exercise test on a stationary bicycle.

"He's not even there right now because he has too many symptoms for us to exercise him," Burkholder said.

Once he completes the exercise test, Vick must be examined be an independent neurologist and by team physician Gary Dorshimer.

"Right now, we're early on in this process," Burkholder said. "We are still in what I would consider Phase 1. I'll see Michael again [Saturday] and do some treatment stuff with him to help him out with his headache. We'll go from there. It's not even close for him to play this week."

Vick's vision has improved, but he remains light-sensitive, Burkholder said. When Vick returned to the sideline after enduring hits in Sunday's loss to Dallas, the first thing he said to Burkholder was: "I can't see quite right." That aspect of his vision has recovered.

This is Vick's second concussion with the Eagles. Burkholder would not speculate on concussions Vick might have had while playing for the Atlanta Falcons because they aren't in his records.

There were no reports of concussions during Vick's tenure with the Falcons.

This is Vick's third season as the Eagles' starting quarterback, and he will have missed starts in each season because of injuries. But this is the first time he is missing a start because of a concussion.

"I know that one of his goals was, obviously, not to get hurt and make it through the season," coach Andy Reid said. "Mike is a very considerate guy. He feels like he lets people down and his teammates down, and that's not the case. He's hurt. One of the toughest guys I've been around, though."

The attention has turned this week to Foles, whose locker is next to Vick's. Foles has said that he learned a lot watching Vick. With Vick out this weekend and potentially longer, Foles will have a chance to show his progress on the field.

Burkholder said Vick could feel better as early as Monday, or he could continue to feel symptoms.

"You just don't know, and that's why you don't judge or speculate with the coaches when he'll return," Burkholder said. "It's not fair to him, and it's not fair to them. You have to take it day by day, and none of us will do anything crazy then, and he won't have pressure then."