Michael Vick Injury: Will New Equipment Really Protect QB Behind Bad O-Line?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick returned to practice on Thursday and will likely try to play on Sunday afternoon against the New York Giants.

Vick is having his helmet re-fitted with Kevlar in an attempt to lessen the effects of a blow to the head, but will that upgrade really help him if the Eagles offensive line can't stop him from getting hit?

In two games this season, Vick has been hit 17 times. That's a ridiculously high amount for a guy who is excellent at evading pressure and scrambling.

Philadelphia's offensive line is excellent on the outside, with left tackle Jason Peters and right tackle Todd Herremans playing very well so far this year. However, the interior of the line boasts journeymen guards Evan Mathis and Kyle DeVan as well as rookie center Jason Kelce. That's a pretty weak group, considering how strong Peters and Herremans are around them.

Until that line gets better and has a chance to work and grow together, playing Vick before he's fully recovered might be a mistake. While he is an adept scrambler and has the ability to make up for the shortcomings of the line in front of him, it still might not be worth it for the Eagles to risk anything with the guy they just gave a six-year, $100 million contract to.

The Eagles clearly have issues along the offensive front. I think they expected rookie Danny Watkins to step in and play right away at guard, but that hasn't happened. If Watkins had been ready to go—which he clearly wasn't—and been the guy the Eagles thought they drafted, the line might look a little different.

Instead, DeVan—who was picked up off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts—was inserted in place of Watkins, while Herremans moved to tackle from the left guard spot.

As of now, it won't matter what kind of technology Vick uses to lessen the impact of blows. Not even Tony Stark could design something to keep him from getting knocked around behind Philadelphia's current offensive front.