Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick gave Eagles fans another scare after being knocked out of Monday night’s nationally televised game against New England.
Vick was in the process of heaving a deep pass roughly midway through the first quarter when Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham leveled him with 6:01 left in the period. The Pro Bowl quarterback was surrounded by medical personnel as he knelt on the ground and tried to gather himself. Vick soon got up on his power and walked to the sideline before heading into the locker room. X-Rays taken of his ribs came back negative.
Rookie Nick Foles, a third-round draft pick out of Arizona, replaced Vick, who had completed one of three passes for five yards and ran for anther five yards in the five plays he completed before being injured. Veteran Trent Edwards is the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
The setback is just the latest for the elusive, but injury-prone Vick, who is now in his fourth year with Eagles. He suffered a thumb injury the previous week against Pittsburgh. The 11-year veteran ranks as one of the NFL’s most exciting players, but has completed a full 16-game schedule just once in his career (2006).
Vick missed just three games a year ago, but the spate of injuries with which he played were instrumental in his relatively sub-par year.
Philadelphia resumes preseason play at Cleveland on Friday night.