Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy will return to practice for the Eagles Tuesday, head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters. Both players, who have been absent from practice since suffering their respective concussion (Week 10 for Vick, Week 11 for McCoy), have now passed their ImPACT tests and are in phase five of the post-concussion rehab. Both players still need to be cleared by an independent neurologist and then must be cleared by team doctor Gary Dorshimer before they can play in a game.
"We're not listing them as out," Burkholder said in relation to the chances that Vick or McCoy could play Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. "They're still very much alive for things and we'll see how they do today and take it day by day."
If all goes well today in practice, the hope is that both will see the independent neurologist on Wednesday. They also must both be tested with contact, which would also come Wednesday, before they can be fully cleared.
Tight end Brent Celek, meanwhile, has already been ruled out of Thursday night's game. But Celek has already passed his ImPACT test and is back to baseline levels, he just simply cannot complete the five phases before Thursday's game.
"The reason that we've listed him out for the game is not because of NFL standards, which is very high, but we feel like he's got to get through the five stages of rehab and it's impossible to do five phases in four days," Burkholder said. "I live by the deal that if you've seen one concussion, you've seen one concussion. So here's a guy who lost consciousness for a short amount of time and his baseline's back to normal already."
Head coach Andy Reid said that the team could make a move to promote tight end/fullback Emil Igwenagu from the practice squad to give the team another tight end ahead of Thursday night's game, though they would have to make a corresponding roster move.
Defensive tackle Mike Patterson, meanwhile, has also been ruled out already as he recovers from the viral pneumonia that kept him in the hospital for several days. Patterson is now home resting, and Burkholder added that he hopes, and believes thus far, that Patterson did not pass on the illness to any of his teammates.
Meanwhile, Reid said that safety Kurt Coleman would be "a stretch" to play Thursday night as he continues to recover from a sternum bruise. Coleman will practice on a limited basis Tuesday though. Also practicing Tuesday for the Eagles will be cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (neck), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (groin) and offensive lineman Evan Mathis (ankle). Reid added that he thinks Maclin "will be alright" and should play Thursday night.
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