PHILADELPHIA — LeSean McCoy expects to step right into his starting role. Michael Vick has no choice but to stand on the sideline.
Vick and McCoy returned to practice Tuesday after missing several weeks with concussions, and both could be active when the Philadelphia Eagles host Cincinnati on Thursday night.
In McCoy’s case, he’s still the No. 1 running back. Vick, however, lost his starting job to rookie quarterback Nick Foles.
Vick and McCoy still must be cleared by an independent neurologist and the team doctor before playing in a game.
Vick, who was injured Nov. 11, has missed four straight games. McCoy was hurt the following week at Washington.
Rookie Bryce Brown, a seventh-round pick, filled in nicely for McCoy. He had 347 yards rushing in his first two starts before being held to just 6 yards on 12 carries against Tampa Bay’s top-ranked run defense.
Vick hasn’t talked to reporters since Reid said Foles would start the rest of the season.
Tight end Brent Celek won’t play against the Bengals (7-6) because of a concussion he sustained on the first play in Sunday’s 23-21 win at Tampa Bay.
The Eagles (4-9) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Bears’ Gould on IR with calf injury
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago kicker Robbie Gould will miss the rest of the season after injuring his left calf, another blow to the stumbling Bears with a big NFC North showdown coming up Sunday against the Packers.
The Bears placed Gould on injured reserve Tuesday and signed veteran kicker Olindo Mare to a one-year contract. They also placed cornerback Sherrick McManis (knee) and safety Craig Steltz (chest) on IR while signing linebacker Jerry Franklin to a two-year deal, elevating receiver Joe Anderson from the practice squad and waiving offensive lineman Andre Gurode.
Around the league
RAVENS: Rookie cornerback Asa Jackson has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. Jackson has played the past three weeks on special teams after being inactive for Baltimore’s first 10 games. He has one tackle. Jackson was a fifth-round pick out of Cal Poly.
STEELERS: Rookie guard David DeCastro is on track to make his starting debut Sunday at Dallas. The 24th overall pick in April, DeCastro suffered a torn MCL during the Steelers’ third preseason game and did not return to practice until mid-November. He was in uniform the past two games but only used on special teams.
PACKERS: Green Bay signed defensive tackle Jordan Miller to the active roster from the practice squad and released linebacker Vic So’oto. The Packers made the moves two days after playing Sunday night with only four defensive linemen because of injuries to defensive ends C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal.
JETS: New York is bringing back wide receiver Braylon Edwards, less than a week after he bashed the organization in support of quarterback Mark Sanchez. Edwards, who played for New York from 2009-10, was waived by Seattle on Monday. He had two productive seasons with the Jets.
COWBOYS: Funeral services are scheduled for Friday in St. Louis for NFL player Jerry Brown, who was a linebacker on the Dallas’ practice squad. He died in a suspected drunken-driving accident Saturday. Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent was the driver and is charged with intoxication manslaughter.
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