Following the Eagles' walk-thru Sunday morning before Eagles Flight Night!, head coach Andy Reid offered some insight into the team's injury situation with the preseason in the books for a majority of the starters.
Quarterback Michael Vick threw the ball on Sunday and will take part in the Eagles Flight Night! festivities, Reid said. If it was a full practice, Reid said he thinks Vick would have been able to participate. All signs point to Vick being ready for the season opener September 9 against Cleveland.
Backup quarterback Mike Kafka is meeting with doctors on Monday to evaluate his fractured non-throwing hand. If Kafka gets clearance, he could play in the preseason finale Thursday night against the New York Jets. Kafka has been able to take part in drills where he does not have to catch a snap.
Wide receiver Riley Cooper continues to recover from a fractured collarbone. However, Reid said that Cooper will "struggle" to be ready for the season opener.
On defense, the defensive ends has been wreaking havoc on the quarterback all preseason long. And, they've done it without Pro Bowl end Jason Babin, who had 18 sacks last season. Babin has a "good chance" of being ready for the season opener after being sidelined this preseason with a calf injury.
Reid was, however, not optimistic about defensive tackle Mike Patterson's availability early in the 2012 season. In fact, Reid hinted that Patterson might not play at all this year.
"I think that is going to be an extended time. We just have to see how that goes if he is able to go at all," Reid said. "We'll have to see how that works out. We'll take checkups in increments here but right now it is going to be a while."
Patterson can be placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list and be re-evaluated after the first six weeks of the season.
Safety Colt Anderson could also start the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from a knee injury.
"Colt is making progress and he's getting there. I'm not sure he is quite there yet but he's made a lot of progress," Reid said. "I just think it is a matter of a little bit of time. We'll see how he does."
Linebacker Casey Matthews continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain.
Following Eagles Flight Night!, the Eagles will practice Monday and Tuesday before a mock game on Wednesday. Then, the preseason concludes this Thursday night against the Jets at Lincoln Financial Field.
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