Second-year players Quintin Demps and Joe Mays apparently haven't nailed down the starting free safety and middle linebacker spots. That's just fine with Demps.

"I'm fighting to the end, baby - fighting to the end. I'm fighting after Carolina, after the Chiefs, after the Saints – every week," Demps said, referring to the Eagles' first three opponents of the season. "There's no such thing as 'The job is yours.' "

Mays is content either playing or sitting.

"If you want me to play, I'll play," he said. "If you don't ask me to play, I won't play."

Reid said he hasn't decided on which "starters" will play Thursday.

"There might be some starters that end up playing this game," Reid said. "That's how it'll go in certain spots."

Reid did single out Demps and Mays in the opening comments of his news conference at the NovaCare Complex yesterday. He complimented their play in Thursday's win over the Jaguars, but at the same time mentioned the additional first-team reps for rookies Moise Fokou and Macho Harris.

Fokou, even though he had never played middle linebacker in college at Maryland, was moved there from the strong side after Omar Gaither sprained his knee last week. Gaither was supposed to be battling Mays for the vacancy left by Stewart Bradley, who tore his ACL early in camp. But he played in the middle mostly in the nickel.

"I know Omar can play the [middle] linebacker position," Reid said. "I'm not worried about that."

Gaither, who had also been backing up Akeem Jordan at weakside linebacker, returned to practice yesterday. Matt Wilhelm is also in the mix at middle linebacker. Mays' inconsistent performance - he over-pursued on a few screen passes - has seemingly opened the door at middle linebacker.

"We're taught to be aggressive linebackers, so I try to be downhill as much as I can," Mays said. "But I could get better at playing the pass." 

Sean Jones was expected to be Demps' main competition for Brian Dawkins' old position, but Harris was recently thrown into the fray. The rookie from Virginia Tech bruised his ankle against the Jaguars, but he was back yesterday. Demps has a bruised ego after the last few games.

"I had a couple of rough weeks," Demps said. "But I finally got my mind clear, and I can play football to have fun instead of playing football not to make mistakes."

Vick to play?

Reid said there was a "good chance" that Michael Vick would play Thursday.

The Eagles quarterback was on the field for six snaps during the Jaguars game, lining up mostly in the Wildcat formation. Starter Donovan McNabb will not play against the Jets, so Reid was asked if Vick could run the normal offense on successive plays.

"There's a possibility," Reid said. "I just have to see as the week goes on here. I have confidence that he can do that. He's played a couple of years in this league; he can probably put together two plays."

On Thursday, Vick was inserted at various points during four drives. McNabb said that the Wildcat package, in that instance, disrupted the offense's rhythm.

"We'll continue to work that package as we go here," Reid said. "We'll use it as we get into the regular season in certain situations and for certain games."

Injury update

Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee), defensive end Darren Howard, linebacker Charleston Hughes (foot), guard Max Jean-Gilles (shoulder), and tight end Rob Myers (groin) sat out yesterday's practice.

Reid said that Curtis' knee was inflamed, but not serious. Myers had an MRI exam. A team spokesman said he did not have a result as of last night.

Fullback Leonard Weaver (knee), tight end Tony Curtis (ankle), and cornerback Sheldon Brown (ribs) were back practicing after missing Thursday's game.

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com.