PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that Kevin Kolb will be his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
It will be the third straight start for Kolb, and the fourth straight game in which he has seen extensive action, in the wake of the rib injury Michael Vick suffered in an Oct. 3 loss to Washington.
Reid also said wide receiver DeSean Jackson will not play against the Titans after suffering a concussion when he absorbed a hit from Atlanta cornerback Dunta Robinson.
The NFL fined Robinson $50,000 for the hit.
Also, Reid said it would be “a stretch” for offensive tackle Jason Peters (sprained knee) and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley (sprained elbow) to play against Tennessee. Neither played against the Falcons.
Kolb was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in the 31-17 win over Atlanta, going 23 for 29 for 326 yards and three touchdowns. He set career highs for completion percentage (79.3), quarterback rating (133.6) and TD passes, one of which was a career-long 83-yarder to Jeremy Maclin.
Kolb started the season opener against Green Bay, but suffered a concussion in the first half and was replaced by Vick, who also started the next three games. But Vick’s injury forced Reid to go back to Kolb.
Reid had said Monday there was “a pretty good chance” Kolb would again start this week. He said it definitively Wednesday, while adding that Vick would be in a backup role. Vick practiced Wednesday, though he is still limited, according to Reid.
“We’ll give him a little bit more than we did last week,” Reid said. “We kind of fed him a few plays on the scout team. We’ll give him a little bit more and see how he feels.”
Jackson did not practice Wednesday. Reid said the receiver still had soreness in his neck and shoulder, and had been unable to pass any of the tests that are administered to determine how much a player has recovered from a concussion.
The Eagles have a bye next week, and Reid believes there is a possibility Jackson, Vick, Peters and Bunkley will be available for the Nov. 7 home game against Indianapolis.
But, he added, “I’m not very good with predictions.”
When asked if there was anything Kolb could do this weekend to win back his job permanently, Reid would not say.
Kolb said he is merely taking it one week at a time, adding that he will “continue to prepare like a starter.”
“That way,” he added, “I’m ready when my name’s called. Whatever (Reid) decides, he decides.”
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