PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Eagles quarterback Michael Vick practiced for a second consecutive day Friday and pronounced himself ready to play against the Giants (1-1) in the Eagles’ home opener Sunday, seven days after he left a game against the Falcons with a concussion.
“There’s no reason to think that I won’t play on Sunday,” Vick said. “I’ve had two good days of practice. I’m optimistic I’ll be able to go out there and very excited to play.”
Eagles coach Andy Reid said that barring a setback, Vick will start against the team that has lost to Philadelphia six straight times.
“If he’s OK on game day,” Reid said, “then he plays on game day.”
Vick suffered a concussion Sunday night in Atlanta during the third quarter of the Eagles’ 35-31 loss to the Falcons and didn’t return to the game. He was replaced by second-year pro Mike Kafka.
After missing practice on Wednesday, Vick was cleared Thursday morning by an independent, NFL-appointed neurosurgeon to resume all football-related activities, under terms of the NFL’s 2009 concussion policy.
Officially, the Eagles (1-1) list Vick as questionable for the home opener Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said Vick has not experienced any concussion-related symptoms since Sunday night or Monday morning, immediately after the primetime game at the Georgia Dome.
He said Vick is not scheduled to undergo any additional tests or medical evaluations but will likely meet with team physician Dr. Gary Dorshimer Sunday before kickoff at Lincoln Financial Field just as a precaution.
Reid said Vick has been fine in meetings and practice and shown no ill effects of the concussion.
“I’ll tell you, he’s been sharp,” he said. “That’s the best way I can sum it up. He’s done a very nice job in managing everything. He’s done good.”
Burkholder said he and the coaching staff will continue to keep a very close eye on Vick over the next two days, to make sure he doesn’t experience any setbacks or begin to show any symptoms of the injury.
“He’s practiced twice, he’s lifted with our strength coach, he’s done rehabilitation with me, he’s been in meetings with the offensive staff,” Burkholder said. “Everything has gone as planned.
“I think at this point in the process we’re very far along. But it’s still an ongoing process, so we have tonight to see whether any symptoms come up and how he does with his sleep and how he does (Saturday) morning. He’s got a walkthrough (Saturday), and then we’ll go through our pregame process and continue to communicate.”
By all accounts, Vick was typically sharp at practice the last two days, showing no signs of the fairly serious injury he suffered just a few days ago.
“I feel good,” Vick said. “I feel great and ready to play. Nothing feels different. I feel like I’ve worked myself back into good condition and playing shape and I’m ready to go.”
Vick said despite his injury _ and a rib injury last year against the Redskins that cost him 31/2 games _ he won’t play football any differently than he always has.
That means if he wants to run, he’ll run.
“You know, I haven’t even thought about getting hit,” he said. “I play this game to win, not thinking about the consequences of staying in the pocket or running or not or getting hit when I run with the football. So, I think you just have to play with confidence and not try to worry about it and put it in the back of your mind and let things play out for itself.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.