Michael Vick Injury: Why Philadelphia Eagles Shouldn't Be Worried

After the Eagles' star quarterback Michael Vick left the game in the fourth quarter, Eagles' fans held their collective breath. But Vick's absence didn't mean an automatic victory for the Atlanta Falcons, and the Eagles were just a few plays away from a win. 

So if Vick was to miss a game next week or in the future, would there still be such high hopes for the team?

Although Vick makes the Eagles tick, here are a few reasons why the team's fans don't need to worry if he misses a game or two.

Concussions

Of course, a concussion is not a promising diagnosis, especially seeing the NFL's extremely cautious approach when dealing with head injuries (which I completely agree with).

It wasn't a pretty sight to see Michael Vick spitting up a mouthful of blood, but that was from biting his tongue or cheek. It's his brain fans have to worry about.

VIck isn't alone when it comes to concussions. With the  quickness of defenses and the game's pace ever-increasing, many players have and will suffer from the same injury. But from a single concussion protocol is usually to sit the player out of the week's practices or just the following game.

And although everyone reacts differently to concussions, last season Aaron Rodgers suffered two and managed to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory. So the injury is no reason to count Vick or the Eagles out.

As bad as a concussion is for the player's well-being, which ultimately is most important, at least Vick didn't suffer an injury that would keep him out the whole season. Look at the struggling Kansas City Chiefs and Jamaal Charles.

Steady Backups

If Michael Vick isn't allowed on the field, which is the only way he wouldn't play, the Eagles have two capable backup quarterbacks.

If Vick doesn't play, the second-string Vince Young, who was inactive because of a hamstring issue Sunday, will likely return to be the starter in his regular season debut with the Eagles.

Young doesn't put up eye-popping statistics, but he does know how to put up the one statistic that counts—wins.

Even without Young the Eagles are in good hands with Mike Kafka, who may deserve the backup job.

Kafka looked impressive in his short stint on the field Sunday. He threw for 72 yards and completed seven of nine pass attempts against a good Atlanta Falcons defense trying to buckle down at the end of the game.

Kafka put the team in a position to win and should have only missed one pass. With 1:45 left in the game, on fourth down, Jeremy Maclin dropped a pass that hit off of his hands and would have sustained the drive.

Obviously, Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win, but with either of the team's two solid backups, the Eagles shouldn't be written off against the New York Giants.

Without Vick the team's Super Bowl chances are nonexistent, but the Eagles are definitively talented enough to put up some wins if Vick couldn't play a few. 

Is Vick Injury Prone?

There has been talk starting last year about how Michael Vick is prone to injury. As a quarterback that likes to scramble, he probably is.

But Vick's injury Sunday came while he was sitting in the pocket, and it wasn't even completely from the hit off the edge. More like bad luck that he was thrown against his own lineman. His injury proves a quarterback can go down on any type of play.

So Vick might be prone to injury more so than some other quarterbacks (not any more than other quarterbacks who run or have a bad offensive line) , but injuries are a part of the game, and Vick is an extremely tough player.

Last season, after suffering a devastating hit during a game against the Redskins, Vick left the game and never returned, yet he came back the following week to lead the team to a victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

Vick is a gritty player, and if the team doctors clear him to play, Vick will be on the field against the New York Giants Sunday.

Andy Reid and the Defense

The Eagles' longtime coach, Andy Reid, has had to deal with backups before, and fans can believe he has a game plan ready if Vick's condition regresses.

The New York Giants' defensive line likes to get after the quarterback, and Reid will take note of that.

If Vick is playing or not, Reid will use more screens to LeSean McCoy and get the ball quickly out of the quarterback's hands with quick throws and shorts routes taking advantage of a porous New York Giants' secondary.

Adding to the hope of  a victory without Vick is the Eagles' defense. Asante Samuel injured his finger in Sunday's loss, but the Eagles had another star at corner to play alongside Nnamdi Asomugha in Samuel's absence anyway, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Trent Cole was dominating on the defensive line, and after his performance Sunday, he will probably draw double-teams, opening the game up for the other defensive linemen.

Expect Vick to be back under center Sunday, but if not, Reid will have a winning game plan ready to go and the defense will be humming.