Michael Vick has needed four medical tests through two exhibition games and has completed only four passes.
That is an ominous sign for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback left Monday’s win at New England after injuring his ribs on his sixth play. He lasted six plays against Pittsburgh before being forced out by an injured left thumb.
X-rays on Vick’s ribs at the stadium were negative, and a magnetic resonance imaging exam and CT scan Tuesday revealed he has no broken bones or cartilage damage. Vick has a contusion of his ribs and of the soft tissue surrounding it.
Considering Vick has been injury prone — he missed three games because of rib injuries in each of the past two seasons — it is likely Vick won’t play in either of the Eagles’ final two exhibition games.
Then again, Vick looks as though he needs work.
“If he didn’t play again (in the exhibition season) then he’d be OK,” coach Andy Reid said. “I would tell you I’d probably like to see him play a little bit more, but he’s got enough experience.”
Vick was injured on a hard shot by Patriots linebacker Jermaine Cunningham after heaving a deep pass. In hindsight, Vick probably should have dumped the ball off short instead of holding onto it, then throwing deep and exposing himself to a big hit.
Vick vowed throughout the summer to avoid the reckless play that often has landed him in the trainer’s room. But he dived headfirst on a running play before being knocked out of Monday’s game.
EXTRA POINTS
Running back Clinton Portis, who has not played since 2010, will retire Thursday. Portis, who played two seasons with the Broncos and seven with the Redskins, ends his career with 9,923 rushing yards, No. 27 on the NFL’s all-time list. … Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is holding out for a new contract, isn’t happy with team owner Shad Khan’s public comments about him, Jones-Drew’s agent said. Khan said, “This is not a team about one person” and said his message to Jones-Drew would be, “Train’s leaving the station. Run, get on it.” … The Jaguars will play one home game in London for four consecutive seasons beginning in 2013, the team and the NFL announced. … Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said running back Adrian Peterson, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery, will not play in the preseason. … The Patriots released veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene, who had 61/2 sacks for the Bengals last year. … Jets 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 in 2010, when he was in college. … Giants coach Tom Coughlin said there is “a ray of hope” that defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, who has a blood clot in his left leg, will be able to play this season. … The Steelers and a related charitable foundation have dropped a trademark lawsuit after a man stopped selling “Terrible Towel” knock-offs in different languages. Nick Rossi said he changed his design to get rid of the word “terrible” in any language so that his towels that won’t violate the trademarked language.
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