Michael Vick participated in the Eagles morning walkthrough Wednesday, just three days after suffering a concussion during the Eagles loss to the Falcons, and -- barring a setback -- he appears to be on track to play in the Eagles home opener against the Giants Sunday at the Linc.
Michael felt good enough to do the walkthrough this morning, and so thats a positive step, Reid said.
Vick was out at the full practice later Wednesday but was in shorts and a baseball cap. Other than jogging around, tossing a football with assistant coach Duce Staley and high-fiving some of his teammates, he was just a spectator during the portion that was open to the media.
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Vick is expected to be listed as "did not practice" when the Eagles' official injury report is released later Wednesday.
Nonetheless, trainer Rick Burkholder was very encouraging in his assessment of Vick's progress.
Burkholder said Vick on Tuesday underwent an impact test -- a test that measures the difference in brain function before and after a concussion -- and it showed virtually no difference from a similar test, a so-called baseline test, that Vick underwent before training camp began.
(It) was very, very close to what his baseline is, Burkholder said. Hes in a very close range to being right back to where he was back in the summer, when he took the test.
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Basically the only symptoms he has right now is his neck is a little sore from the game and his jaw is a little sore from the game.
He doesnt have a whole lot of concussion symptoms.
Burkholder said Vick will likely undergo another impact test on Thursday.
Vick left game late in the third quarter Sunday when he took a jarring hit after being knocked into teammate Todd Herremans. The Eagles, who took a 10-point lead soon after Vick left the game, allowed 14 fourth-quarter points and lost 35-31.
Asked what would prevent Vick from being able to play Sunday, Burkholder identified two things: 1) any kind of setback in the coming days or 2) as-yet unseen effects of the concussion -- such as an inability to grasp football concepts at practice or meetings or simply unusual or unexpected behavior.
Just because he doesnt have symptoms today doesnt mean he wont wake up with symptoms, Burkholder said. I dont anticipate that, but that could happen.
Burkholder said the coaches and medical staff will observe Vicks behavior over the next few days to determine if its at all unusual -- even if he passes all the medical tests.
If he just cant get the football concepts down because cognitatively -- he does well with impact but doesnt do well with coaches -- you know somethings amiss, he said.
But Reid said that has not been a problem: Hes having no problem with the football part, Reid said. No problem at all.
Burkholder said an MRI Vick underwent on Monday showed nothing unusual.
Vick cant play until hes cleared by an independent, NFL-appointed neurologist. Burkholder said Vick will likely meet with the Philadelphia-based neurologist later Wednesday or on Thursday.
Burkholder said Vick has been doing a lot of exertion tests -- cardio, lifting, balance -- and he wants Vick to continue those tests a little bit longer before Vick visits the neurologist.
Its almost like a rehab process that he goes through, Burkholder said. Hes doing fine. ... Symptoms-wise, hes OK. Id like to challenge him a little more exercise-wise before I send him there.
Why wont the Eagles just come out and say Vick will start Sunday? Everything is pointing that way, but brain injuries are unpredictable and setbacks are not uncommon.
Theres guys who get to certain points and then have setbacks, and theres guys who sail through it, Burkholder said. You cant predict. Were not trying to hide anything, we cant predict. Its not fair.
Burkholder and Reid said the observation and evaluation process will continue right up until gametime.
We look at the exertion, with cardio, lifting, balance, and I have a whole process that he goes through in progression, and then coach and I and our docs and teammates as well look at his activities in daily living, how hes interacting with everybody and whether anythings off, Burkholder said.
Ill tell you, hes right in the middle of this process, right where we expect him to be. Everythings progressing. ... Hes doing fine right now.
Reid wouldnt say whether Mike Kafka or Vince Young would make their first start as an Eagle if Vick cant play, but its expected that Reid will give Kafka the nod.
Im going to get them all ready and go, Reid said. Ill go with the one whos healthiest to play. Thats how Im looking at it.
Kafka completed seven of nine passes for 72 yards in relief of Vick on Sunday. Young, a two-time Pro Bowl pick with the Titans, has been inactive the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury he suffered during a preseason game against the Jets on Sept. 1 in East Rutherford.
Were pretty comfortable to have three guys we feel comfortable with, Reid said. My message to all of them was to get ready, and as we go through this process, itll clear itself out and well go play the game.
The Eagles and Giants, both 1-1, meet at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Linc.
"If Michael Vick can possibly play, he will play," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com