PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick has required four medical tests and completed four passes in the first two preseason games.
That’s an ominous sign for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback left Monday night’s exhibition win at New England after injuring his ribs on his sixth play. He lasted just six plays against Pittsburgh before leaving with an injured left thumb.
X-rays on Vick’s ribs at the stadium were negative, but he was undergoing an MRI and CT scan Tuesday. He also needed X-rays on his thumb when he was hurt in the first game. They also were negative.
Vick missed three games because of rib injuries in each of the past two seasons. Vick has led the offense to just one first down in 12 plays this preseason.
Harrison targets opener
PITTSBURGH — Steelers linebacker James Harrison remains optimistic his aching left knee will be ready in time for the season opener against Denver.
Harrison had a minor procedure on the knee last week and hasn’t practiced during training camp. He was activated from the physically unable to perform list before Sunday’s preseason game against Indianapolis but did not dress.
Harrison, 34, said Tuesday he tried to play through some discomfort during minicamp, but the knee flared up whenever he would try to cut. Though the four-time Pro Bowler has spent nine seasons with the Steelers, he believes he needs to practice at least a few times before being cleared to play.
Luck to see extensive action
INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck is likely to see his most extensive playing time of the preseason at Washington.
Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he plans to play most of his starters, including Luck, into the second half Saturday afternoon. Luck played almost the entire half in the preseason opener against St. Louis and the first two quarters Sunday night at Pittsburgh.
Pagano’s plan is to use his starters until halftime, make adjustments and send the Colts’ starters back out to see how they adjust. The third preseason game is traditionally when starters play longest.
Around the league
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay is giving Jordan Shipley a chance to revive his career just a few days after the 26-year-old wide receiver was waived by Cincinnati. The former Texas star was the AFC’s leading rookie receiver in 2010 before tearing ligaments in his left knee in the Bengals’ second game last year.
SEAHAWKS: Rookie Russell Wilson will start at quarterback for Seattle at Kansas City in the Seahawks’ third preseason game. Coach Pete Carroll did not indicate how much Wilson will play, but the rookie out of N.C. State will get time with the No. 1 offense after playing the entire second half in each of Seattle’s first two preseason games. Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also has run for 92 yards and a touchdown.
JETS: New York nose tackle Kenrick Ellis will not be suspended by the NFL after the league completed its review of his legal situation following his guilty plea to misdemeanor assault and battery. Ellis was sentenced to 45 days in a Virginia prison in May after a fight while in college at Hampton University in 2010. He was granted a split-sentence — 23 days in prison before the season and the remaining 22 beginning March 1.
BRONCOS: Free agent safety Jim Leonhard practiced for the first time since undergoing a right knee operation in December. The Broncos removed him from their PUP list and placed him on their 90-man roster. He participated in drills with other defensive backs but was held out of team drills.
RAIDERS: Stefen Wisniewski has a tough enough adjustment in his second year in the NFL after having changed positions and blocking systems with Oakland. Injuries that are keeping him off the practice field are only making that job more difficult. After missing all offseason workouts while recovering from shoulder surgery, Wisniewski has been sidelined more than a week with an injured calf suffered in the exhibition opener.
PATRIOTS: New England Patriots released defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene, offensive lineman Kyle Hill and kicker Chris Koepplin. Fanene, who spent the past seven seasons with Cincinnati, had been slowed in training camp by injury and sat out both of the Patriots’ exhibition games.
JAGUARS: The NFL and Jacksonville announced the Jaguars will play one home game in London for four years in a row. The small-market franchise will play four games at Wembley Stadium, one every season beginning in 2013.
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