The last time the Giants were preparing to face the Philadelphia Eagles, they did so without the knowledge of whether or not quarterback Michael Vick would play.
Having suffered a concussion the week before against the Atlanta Falcons, Vick missed a Wednesday practice leading up to the game and was listed as "questionable" on the team's official injury report.
This time around, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback has two cracked ribs and was held out of practice Wednesday. Vick suffered the injury on the second offensive snap of last Sunday's game against the Cardinals, according to head coach Andy Reid, but was able to finish the game despite the injury.
With head coach Andy Reid uncertain about the availability of the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year for this Sunday's key divisional game against the Giants, he said that he is giving backups Vince Young and Mika Kafka reps with the starting offense in practice.
Each of the three quarterbacks brings something different to the table, making it a difficult task to account for them all. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke specifically about what Young, who is listed second on the Eagles' depth chart, and Vick bring to the table as signal-callers.
"Young is a big, strong quarterback who can effectively throw the ball downfield from the pocket but can also move around outside the pocket," Coughlin said during a conference call with Philadelphia reporters. "Vick brings a similar mobility to the table, so I don't think the Eagles' game plan changes a lot if one of those two gets the start."
The Giants know that Vick is one of the NFL's toughest athletes and are preparing as if he will make the start Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.
"I'll expect Vick to start up until the moment he's put on the inactive list," Coughlin said. "We're going to prepare that way, and, of course, we'll prepare a bit in case Young or Kafka start."
Giants defensive end Justin Tuck agreed, noting that unless he "sees Michael Vick come out in street clothes" he'll be expecting to face the 10-year veteran.
"Michael's a competitor," Tuck said. "This is a do-or-die game for Philly and I think if he does play he's going to come out and do everything he can to help his team win the football game, even with the rib injury.
"He's always going to be dangerous because of what he can do in the air and on the ground. It's difficult to figure out how to play him. If you don't rush him, he can just sit back and use his powerful arm to throw the ball downfield. If you do rush him, you better make the tackle, because if you don't he's one of the deadliest players in the league in open space."
This is the fourth time the Pro Bowl quarterback has been listed on the injury report this season. Each time, it's been a different ailment. Vick has not missed a start due to injury this season and hopes to keep that streak alive Sunday in the Eagles' key matchup with the New York Giants.
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