Michael Vick Injury: Why Fantasy Owners Shouldn't Start Mike Kafka Just Yet

When Michael Vick went down with a concussion in Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles backup Mike Kafka jumped in and looked great leading the team over the final quarter. Despite the team's 35-31 come-from-ahead loss that night, the Northwestern product looked very capable under center.

This past weekend against the New York Giants was another story however. When Vick left Sunday's game with a deep bone bruise in his right hand, Kafka stepped in and looked lost. The 24-year-old completed four of seven passes for 35 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He couldn't move the offense consistently and his quarterback rating was a dismal 31.0.

Any hopes that Kafka might prove to be a decent fantasy option at quarterback while Vick was out were likely smashed by that performance.

Now with Vick still nursing his injured hand, it appeared Kafka could be in line for his first career start in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. But the Eagles' franchise quarterback squashed that talk today by declaring that there was no way he wouldn't be on the field this Sunday.

Obviously some people picked Kafka up after his relief appearance in Week 2. Afterall, he looked good against the Falcons when he completed seven of nine passes for 72 yards, and of his two incompletions, one was dropped by Jeremy Maclin and the other was a Hail Mary attempt.

With the weapons the Eagles have in running back LeSean McCoy, receivers Maclin and DeSean Jackson and tight end Brent Celek, it was tempting to think Kafka could step in and be successful.

Now that Vick says he'll return and we've seen Kafka struggle, it might be time to just release him from your roster and pick up something else you might actually use. While Kafka may see action if Vick is hurt again, relying on him at all would be a mistake.