Although Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and quarterback Michael Vick have both passed their post-concussion tests, that doesn’t mean they’ll play on Thursday against the Bengals.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that neither McCoy nor Vick will go on Thursday. And the Eagles have also confirmed that tight end Brent Celek, who suffered a concussion of his own on Sunday, and defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who has been dealing with an illness, are ruled out for Thursday as well.
For the Eagles, who are focusing on giving playing time to younger players, it’s not at all surprising that they’re going to tell veterans who are coming back from injury or illness to take their time. Nick Foles has already been confirmed as the starter for the rest of the season regardless of Vick’s health, and the Eagles would also like to see more from young running back Bryce Brown and young tight end Clay Harbor.
Despite shifting their focus toward building for the future, the Eagles surprisingly beat a team with playoff aspirations in Sunday’s comeback win over the Buccaneers. On Thursday they’ll try to do it again.