The Eagles be without their leader along the offensive line, center Jamaal Jackson, for the remainder of the season, according to head coach Andy Reid.

Jackson suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of the 30-27 win over the Denver Broncos. He was replaced at center by Nick Cole, who slid over from right guard. Max Jean-Gilles then played right guard.

Reid said that Jackson had an MRI Monday morning and found out that he would miss "the remaining part of the season."

"It's obviously a big loss," Reid said. "He's a good football player. We're fortunate enough to have Nick here, who is a center, who's been playing guard for us. He is a center, so this isn't new territory for him.

"Nick's a good athlete. He looks like a big guy, so to say he's a good athlete it's hard to picture, but he is. He's got great feet and very good hands, and very good quickness."

There were a few miscommunications when Cole stepped in against the Broncos, which Reid termed "procedure calls."

"This week of practicing will help," Reid said. "It'll smooth those type of things out."

Reid said that Mike McGlynn will be Cole's backup at center. At right guard, Reid said Stacy Andrews is also "in the mix" along with Jean-Gilles.

Andrews "keeps getting better with his technique," Reid said. "Some of that is sticking his leg in the ground, his surgically-repaired leg. I think he has more trust in that now."

In other injury news, safety Quintin Demps has an ankle sprain and had an MRI on Monday. Reid said he's getting better, and that, if he can return, he will resume his kickoff return duties.

Quarterback Michael Vick is also "making improvement" with a quad contusion.

"There's a chance we have him back," Reid said.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 12:22 p.m., December 28