Concussion

Another week has passed, and the news about the concussion recoveries of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy still is not positive. Vick will miss his fourth game and McCoy his third because lingering issues have yet to subside. In Vick's case, he still cannot pass the ImPACT test that measures cognitive function because of problems with his eyes, the team said. McCoy continues to suffer from fatigue. He had a headache that alarmed Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder to the point that McCoy visited the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center earlier this week for further evaluation.

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy is in the third phase of a five-step concussion recovery process that has already sidelined him for two games. He has progressed since last Friday, when McCoy was in the second stage, but he is still not able to return to the field. Trainer Rick Burkholder said last week that McCoy still displayed concussion symptoms, specifically fatigue. Coach Andy Reid said Monday that McCoy was still undergoing testing. Bryce Brown has starred in McCoy's absence.

The Eagles have hit rock bottom, and they haven't been afraid to say so. When Marty Mornhinweg spoke about the challenge in motivating his players with the Eagles 3-8 and essentially out of the playoff picture, he played the only card he had left. "We certainly are in a spoiler-type role here," the Eagles' offensive coordinator said last week, "and that can be very rewarding. " Unfortunately, the Eagles couldn't reward themselves when it actually mattered. A win over 5-6 Dallas will provide little solace for fans, even if it's the Cowboys and it hinders their playoff chances.

Conflicting reports swirl around Michael Vick regarding his recovery from a concussion, but the Eagles say the quarterback has plateaued on the fourth phase of his five-step recovery. Vick will miss his third straight game in Sunday's contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder denied a WIP radio report that Vick has regressed. Burkholder and coach Andy Reid also disputed an ESPN report that said Vick believes the team is using the concussion as a reason to play rookie Nick Foles.

IT TOOK ONLY one practice to confirm what Jacksonville expected: Defensive end Jason Babin will help a Jaguars defense in need of a quality pass-rusher. Babin practiced for the first time with Jacksonville Thursday afternoon, less than 48 hours after he was claimed off waivers from the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen said Babin can help "a ton" Sunday against at Buffalo. "Third-and-long during the game, he will be ready," Cullen said. "There's a couple of things we looked for at that position and one is the relentless motor and the other is being able to rush the passer.

Here are the Eagles regulars on offense who are expected to start Sunday vs. Dallas: FB Stanley Havili TE Brent Celek LT King Dunlap LG Evan Mathis WR Jeremy Maclin Here are the Eagles regulars on offense who are not expected to start (or play at all) Sunday because of injuries or demotion: QB Michael Vick (concussion) RB LeSean McCoy (concussion) WR DeSean Jackson (ribs) C Jason Kelce (knee) RG Danny Watkins (ankle and demotion) RT Todd Heremanns (foot)

The Eagles said Tuesday that LeSean McCoy is still in the first phase of a five-stage process to return from a concussion, making it unlikely that McCoy will play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. In other injury news, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox has a bruised tailbone and is unlikely to practice on Wednesday. Offensive tackle King Dunlap has a strained medial collateral ligament and will not practice. Fullback Stanley Havili has an ankle sprain, as does center Dallas Reynolds.

Second in a series on concussions in sports.   Like an approaching meteor, sports' concussion epidemic has been observed with alarm as, with increasing noise and notoriety, it has moved from distant distraction to ominous threat. While professional and amateur leagues focus obsessively on head injuries and how best to identify, treat, and prevent them, the problem continues to alter the games Americans play and watch in ways both subtle and blunt.

Nick Foles will make his second consecutive NFL start Monday night with Michael Vick still recovering from a concussion, a league source said Thursday. All signs Wednesday pointed to the rookie quarterback's getting the nod again. Foles took all the practice repetitions as Vick was sidelined and unable to partake in any strenuous activity. Andy Reid said that Vick was still in Phase 1 of the league's protocol for return from a concussion. The Eagles coach added that Vick was "getting close to Phase 2," which would involve exercise challenges.

Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy were both still in Phase 1 Wednesday as they recovered from concussions and appeared unlikely to play Monday night when the 3-7 Eagles host the 2-8 Panthers. If they can't go, their replacements will be a pair of rookies - Nick Foles making his second consecutive start at quarterback and Bryce Brown making his first career NFL start. Both took first-team repetitions Wednesday. "You go in and you practice with the other kids and let them play," Andy Reid said.