It’s been a strange 14 days for the Eagles. While quarterbacks Nick Foles and Mike Vick seem to be getting along (after all, they did a joint press conference), bizarre dynamics continue to be at play regarding Vick’s status.
It could get more bizarre soon. Per a league source, Vick could return to action as soon as next week, when the Eagles host the Giants.
They may need Vick, because Nick Foles currently has a head injury.
On Sunday, Vick was inactive -- even though he was listed as questionable for the game due to a hamstring injury suffered two weeks ago against the Giants. It’s no surprise, given that Vick declared himself to be out on Thursday.
Last week, Vick also was questionable, even though there was no way he’d play. The Eagles dressed him, presumably to perpetuate the ruse, even though Vick said the night before the game that he has a “long road” to recovery.
By consistently contradicting the team regarding his own status, Vick has created the impression that he wants defenses to know that they’ll be preparing for Foles. Now that Vick could be moving toward coming back, Vick’s incentive will remain to downplay his status, so that defenses will prepare more for Foles and less for Vick.
If Foles can’t play, preparation won’t matter. (Then again, Foles’ status could now become another part of the shell game.)
Though it’s not in the team’s best interests for Vick to undermine the messages that the Eagles may be trying to send, Vick needs at a certain level to think about his own best interests. With more than $2 million tied this year to playing time and his next contract sure to hinge on whether Vick is able to play and play well, Vick needs to get his job back as soon as he’s healthy enough to play.