Vick, Jackson sit out Eagles practice

Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson both were held out of Eagles practice Wednesday, and Jeremy Maclin was limited, raising questions about the three offensive stars' availability for Sunday's game.

Vick tried to throw Tuesday, but his broken ribs prevented him from getting much work in, coach Andy Reid said. While Reid would not say definitively who will play Sunday, his update seemed to point to another start for Vince Young against the Patriots.

"[Vick] didn't do much," on Tuesday, Reid said. "He can still feel it."

Vick couldn't throw at all last week but was able to a little on Tuesday, Reid said, offering a modest sign of improvement.

Maclin said he has a Grade 2 shoulder separation, offering a new detail about the injury, but he was even more concerned about the lingering effects of his hamstring strain. Jackson was out of the walking boot he wore after Sunday's win, but he was still limping with a bruised foot.

The status for both receivers this week is unclear.

"We'll see," Jackson said when asked if he could play.

Maclin said that his shoulder has not fully healed, but that dealing with that injury largely depends on pain tolerance.

"There's ways around the shoulder. The hamstring is the thing you really have to focus on," Maclin said. "The hamstring felt fine for a while there, but it's kind of, we'll see."

The "for a while there" part of his quote clearly implies that his hamstring got worse as practice went on.

"I just know with these things you've got to be very careful," Maclin said. "I've still got a few more days, so we'll see."

Maclin said he wants to play, but does not want to jeopardize the team's chances.

"If I'm not 100 percent and feel like I can't go out there and contribute, I wouldn't do anything to damage the team," he said. "At the same time I'm a competitor, I've battled through injuries before, so if I can go out there and still play ball, I'll go out there."

If Maclin can't play, Riley Cooper would take his spot again. Steve Smith would stand in for Jackson.

The injuries come as the Eagles prepare to face a defense that has given up many yards but not a lot of points. The Patriots have excelled at creating turnovers and stopping opponents in the red zone.

Young took all of the first-team snaps in practice.

"You've just got to be patient with these guys, take your time, and drive down the field," he said. "Try not to turn over the ball and convert on third down."

Thursday's practice should reveal more about the prospects for Maclin, Jackson, and Vick.

Samuel: Pats the best. Asante Samuel, a former Patriot who was allowed to walk away as a free agent, smiled mischievously as he heaped praise on his old team.

"Their whole team is the best. They've got all the best players. [Tom] Brady's the No. 1 quarterback. Wes [Welker] is the No. 1 receiver. Logan Mankins is the No. 1 guard. Deion Branch is the No. 1 receiver," Samuel said, channeling his inner Bill Belichick, who earlier heaped praise on the Eagles. "Concession stand got the best hot dog, best popcorn, so we've got to come with our 'A' game this week."

As for his former coach, Samuel said: "We're going to speak. . . . That's my buddy. We go way back."

Mudd vs. Belichick. The Eagles don't play the Patriots often, but their offensive-line coach is familiar with Belichick's defensive machinations. Howard Mudd faced New England many times when he was with the Indianapolis Colts.

He has told his Eagles linemen to expect new wrinkles that they might not have seen on tape, said center Jason Kelce. So how do you prepare for the unknown?

"Just know who your assignment is and where he is at all times," Kelce said.

Extra points. King Dunlap (concussion) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) did not practice. Rodgers-Cromartie is not expected to play this week. . . . The Eagles signed center Zane Taylor to the practice squad to fill an open space.