Michael Vick Down Again
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Eagles coach Andy Reid figures Michael Vick will be ready for the regular season even if he misses Philadelphia’s two remaining exhibition games.
At least he wouldn’t get hurt again.
For his second consecutive game, Philadelphia’s star quarterback lasted just six plays then went for X-rays, this time on his ribs. They were negative, just as they were on his left thumb 11 days earlier.
“I’d probably like to see him play a little bit more, but he’s got enough experience,” Reid said after the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 27-17 on Monday night. “We’re not talking about a rookie, so I think he’d be OK.”
Vick doesn’t have much time to get over his soreness. Philadelphia plays Friday night at the Cleveland Browns.
“I’m not that concerned, other than he’s hurt,” Reid said. “I want to make sure he heals up and get him back in there. Hopefully, he doesn’t get hurt again.”
Vick was knocked down by linebacker Jermaine Cunningham after heaving a long pass in the first quarter. In a 24-23 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 9, he smacked his thumb on the helmet of center Jason Kelce.
“That is just football,” Cunningham said of his hit on Vick, “going out there and getting the person with the ball.”
In both games, rookie Nick Foles came off the bench to throw two touchdown passes. Last year’s No. 2 quarterback, Mike Kafka, missed Monday night’s game with a hand injury.Trent Edwards also played against the Patriots.
Foles, a third-round draft pick from Arizona, finished 18 for 28 for 217 yards and touchdown passes to Clay Harbor of 1 and 3 yards.
“He did a great job,” running back LeSean McCoy said. “In the huddle he demanded respect. He put everybody in the right places at the right times.”
Vick went 1 for 3 for 5 yards with one run for another 5 yards. After Cunningham drove his helmet into Vick’s left side, the quarterback went down, got up slowly then knelt on one knee. He was checked by medical personnel before going to the sideline under his own power.
“Mike’s tough,” McCoy said. “I kind of figured it would be all right, even though he took kind of a big blow.”
Vick had been expected to play at least a half on Monday night.
Vick wasn’t the only first-stringer knocked out of the game. Philadelphia cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and New England safetyPatrick Chung went out in the first half with shoulder injuries.