IRVING, Texas - It’s looking more and more likely that two of Philadelphia’s most dangerous weapons won’t be on the field this weekend against the Cowboys.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid told the Dallas media on Wednesday that the team was preparing as if Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy would be unavailable Sunday.
Both players suffered concussions and have yet to be cleared to practice, so it will likely be Nick Foles at quarterback and Bryce Brown at running back this week.
“Michael will not practice (Wednesday), and we’ll just see,” Reid said. “Right now, Nick is practicing, so I’ll tell you Nick is playing as of today.”
Reid gave nearly an identical answer when asked whether McCoy would be available or if Brown would once again be the starting running back.
“(McCoy’s) still on the phase one of the concussion test,” Reid said. “He’s not going to practice (Wednesday). I’d say the same thing that I said about Michael; I’d say the same things about McCoy. Today Bryce is the starter until McCoy is ready to play.”
Brown rushed for 178 yards in his first start in place of McCoy on Monday night against the Panther, but he also fumbled twice.
“The obvious thing is you got to keep the ball high and tight, and until you do, teams are going to come after you and test that,” Reid said. “He understands that. He’s a real smart kid. There are a lot of good things he did. He learned a lesson as a young player that turnovers hurt particularly in this league.”
If Vick and McCoy do in fact sit out Sunday’s game, then it will be the third consecutive game that the Cowboys face a team starting a rookie quarterback and a rookie running back, which the Cowboys would like to take advantage of.
Reid talked about the learning curve he’s seen from Foles.
“He’s done a good job,” Reid said. “I always keep in mind that he’s a rookie, so there’s some rookie mistakes, but there’s also some things he sure does a nice job at. Very hard worker and a very smart kid.”
