After bye, Eagles show signs of healing

Michael Vick said that he's 100 percent.

The question now is whether the Eagles quarterback can stay that way.

After missing the last three games with a rib-cartilage injury and practicing on a limited basis as Kevin Kolb ran the first-team offense in the interim, Vick returned to practice Monday as the starter. He was just one of several injured Eagles to benefit from a bye week.

The team, off since it lost to Tennessee, 37-19, on Oct. 24, held a light practice as it began preparations for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Among those back from injury were wide receiver DeSean Jackson, tackle Jason Peters, and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley.

Jackson, who suffered a horrific concussion in the Atlanta game on Oct 17, said that he would be a "game-time decision" for Sunday. He said he was limited at practice but did not elaborate on whether he had undergone an independent head examination, although his return would demand as much, according to NFL rules.

But a team spokesman said Jackson has not yet undergone the required independent head examination.

Peters underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee nearly three weeks ago, but said he was on target to start Sunday at left tackle after missing the previous two games. Bunkley, out the last two games with an elbow injury, was noncommittal about the Colts game.

Eagles coach Andy Reid was not available for comment but is expected to have an official injury update on Wednesday.

Vick said he felt completely healed over the weekend and that there was "no soreness at all" after Monday's practice. Still, he has yet to take a hit since he was sandwiched by two defenders during a scramble in the Oct. 3 Redskins game.

"We've got some extra padding that we'll wear, but I'm confident that I can take a hit," Vick said. "I can't play the game worried about getting hit or not being able to play the way I like to play."

Nevertheless, the elusive Vick said that he would attempt to be more conscious about exposing himself to potential hits. He conceded, however, that it would be hard to suppress his instincts.

"No telling what I'll do," Vick said. "I can't predetermine what I'm going to do when I play."

In Vick's absence, the Eagles went 2-1 under Kolb's stewardship. Vick, of course, began the season as the backup but claimed the job after Week 2 when he filled in for the injured Kolb. He was excellent in his first two starts but was knocked from the Washington game during a dazzling run that came up just short of a touchdown.

"It's a great effort, but we might not need it," said running back LeSean McCoy, who has played the last three games with broken ribs. "I'd rather have him here for the rest of this season than have an extra first down or an extra couple of yards."

The same could be said of Jackson, at least in terms of the Eagles risking further head trauma for him to play against the Colts. The lithe receiver has suffered two concussions in the last 11 months but said he felt fine after practice as he pulled a red hoodie over his head and darted out of the Eagles locker room at the NovaCare Complex.

"He looked good," Eagles tight end Brent Celek said. "I always think DeSean looks good. He was running around fast. He was his normal self, in my opinion."

Peters claimed to be his normal self, which might not be a good thing considering he drew a team-high five penalties through the first four-plus games of the season.

"I was doing OK," Peters said when asked to appraise his pre-injury performance. "You look around the league, there was nobody playing that much better than me."

Of course, the argument could be made that his backup fared better. In his two starts filling in for Peters, King Dunlap did not allow a sack. He did, however, hyperextend his knee and did not practice Monday because of a bone bruise.

"He did great," Peters said when asked to appraise Dunlap's performance. "King is a good player. He's probably going to be my replacement when I get done."

Peters' mission on Sunday will be to protect Vick from the always-dangerous Dwight Freeney. The Colts defensive end has only three sacks this season, not including Monday night's game against Houston.

The intra-divisional game against the Texans means Indianapolis will travel to Philadelphia on Sunday on short rest. The Eagles, on the other hand, will be rested from what many said was a valuable week off.

"I was beat down, banged up," said Celek, who has dealt primarily with an injured wrist. "This week has been huge for me. I feel like a different person."