Michael Vick: X-Rays Negative on Eagles QB After Big Hit vs. Patriots

For the second time in two weeks, Michael Vick has dodged a bullet. 

In the first quarter of Monday night's matchup with the New England Patriots, Vick went down after suffering a big hit and was forced to leave the game due to an apparent rib injury. Fortunately for Philadelphia Eagles fans, though, it appears he's going to be just fine (via the team website's official Twitter account):

"

X-rays negative on Michael Vick's ribs.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) August 21, 2012"

UPDATE: Thursday, August 23 at 4:37 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Vick's status for the preseason, and the regular season, is one of the biggest hot-button issues in the football world right now.

USA Today reporter Robert Klemko's report on Thursday tells us that, according to Vick, "his bruised ribs are feeling 80% healthy". Vick added this in the interview with USA Today Sports:

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"I'm trying to do the best I can. I can only do what I can do," he says. "I'm feeling better. Hanging in there. Trying to make it to September 9."

"

At some point the injuries have to start adding up, but Vick went on to say this about how he will approach his play this season:

"

"I just let everything happen in that moment. I can't go to the line dictating what I'm going to do," he says. "I can't go to the line trying to predict everything that I'm going to do. That would hurt you're game a little bit, because I might miss somebody getting open. I have to go through my progressions to the best of my abilities."

"

An injury for Vick this early in the season isn't an encouraging sign for Philadelphia's fast-paced offense, but it's something they will have to deal with.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get them.

-------------------------End of Update------------------------------

UPDATE: Wednesday, August 22, 10:50 a.m. ET by Donald Wood 

While it should not come as a shock to anyone that watched Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback Michael Vick leave the first two preseason games early with injuries, head coach Andy Reid is likely not going to let the QB play Friday against the Cleveland Browns.

Eagles beat writer for CSNPhilly.com, Reuben Frank, is reporting about Vick’s status:

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Michael Vick won't practice and most likely won't play, Andy reid said

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) August 22, 2012"

"

Reid said Vick will be fine for opener. If was regular season Vick would play.

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) August 22, 2012"

While many fans have become concerned about Vick’s status for Week 1, Eagles Insider is reporting on Twitter that Reid expects Vick to play:

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Reid not concerned about Vick's ability for the season opener.

— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) August 22, 2012"

As much as Reid may be playing it cool, the rest of the world is very concerned by the fragility of Vick over the first two games of the preseason. Last year, Vick was absolutely ravaged by injuries, and the concern is that this year will be similar.

At least the Eagles have Nick Foles.

----------End of Update----------

UPDATE; Tuesday, August 21 at 4:53 p.m. EDT by Tim Keeney

The results from Vick's MRI and CT scan revealed more good news for the Eagles (via The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane):

"

I'm hearing that Michael Vick has no additional problems in his rib area after MRI and CT scan. Will be prob be brought back slowly, though.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 21, 2012"

With the Eagles not having much more to prove this offseason, it's likely that being "brought back slowly" means being brought back to start Week 1 of the regular season, although that's speculation.

Whatever happens, the Eagles are smart to be cautious with their 100-million-dollar man. 

------End of Update-------

UPDATE: Tuesday, August 21 at 9:20 a.m. EDT

Michael Vick will undergo further tests today following his rib injury against the Patriots last night, according to Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane.

"

"He will have a magnetic resonance image and CT scan of his ribs done on Tuesday, Reid said.

'He’s sore,' Reid said. 'He was trying to talk me into going back in. How sore is sore? He got a good shot there. The precautionary measure is to see if it’s involving cartilage there.'”

"

---END OF UPDATE--- 

What it Means

It means, once again, Vick and the Eagles have lucked out. In Philly's first preseason game, the enigmatic QB suffered a hand injury that saw his fingers swell to the size of a blimp. But it ended up being harmless, as he was good to go within a couple of days.

Throw in the dangerous head-first slide from earlier in Monday night's game that Vick was able to walk away from versus New England, and he is really playing with fire. 

Also, if you're here for fantasy purposes, this is just another reason why you should avoid the risky quarterback like the plague. At some point, his frailty just makes his unique skill set ineffectual.

What's Next

Vick doesn't play in a game until Week 1 of the real season.

Hopefully.

The Eagles match up with the Browns next week, who they also play to start the regular season, so the starters shouldn't be playing in that one anyway. The urge might be to give Vick a series during Philly's final preseason matchup, but Andy Reid needs to put that urge to rest. 

Give him the standard practice time, but that's it. At this rate, the Eagles should consider themselves very lucky if they start the season with Vick under center. 

Follow @t_keen