EAGLES’ VICK OUT WITH RIB INJURY

Whether they like it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles are back with Kevin Kolb as their starting quarterback at least for this Sunday’s game at San Francisco.  Michael Vick was injured early in last Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins and was unable to return.  While there were conflicting reports initially of the exact location of the injury—some suggested it was his wrist or collarbone it turned out to be a rib injury.  X-rays didn’t reveal any broken ribs, though an MRI revealed that cartilage between his second and third rib may be cracked.

Despite media reports that he’s ‘day to day’ he’s all but certainly out for the game against the 49ers which puts Kevin Kolb back under center.  Andy Reid was typically vague about the prognosis:

"This is going to be one of those day-to-day, week to week [injuries]. We'll just see how it goes and how he feels along the way.  He's sore, he's sore. It's up high in that second and third rib. And that's what it is and you have ligaments and you have cartilage up there."

For his part, Kolb is ready to go:

"I'm a competitor and I want to play. I want to win. It's vital for our season and for our team right now to go out and win next week and I hope I get the opportunity. But we'll see what happens with Mike's injury and what the situation is and then we'll go from there."

Reid gave Kolb this tepid vote of confidence:

"I think he'll be fine. I think everybody has confidence in him and you go in and play well."

Vick is likely the best option for the Eagles behind a horrible offensive line.  His mobility allows him to run for his life in a way that Kolb and Mike Kafka are unable to.  Still, the media is in denial about his impact on this Eagles team and their prognosis for success this year.  ESPN, for example, suggested that ‘the offense struggled’ after Vick left the game despite the fact at the time of his injury the Eagles were being shut out.  Kevin Kolb came in and managed to move the ball and put some points on the board in a losing effort, essentially contradicting ESPN’s take on the relative performances of Philadelphia’s quarterbacks.

All in all, it was a bad Sunday for Philadelphia on the injury front. LeSean McCoy broke a rib in the first half but played through it. Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel and wide receiver Riley Cooper sustained concussions. All three are listed as 'doubtful' for Sunday's game at San Francisco.  Currently there is no NFL betting line posted on the game due to the Eagles’ quarterback status.