Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder Friday updated quarterback Michael Vick's condition after suffering a concussion against Dallas on Sunday, and it sounds like Vick could still be a ways away from getting cleared to return to the football field.
Burkholder told the media after Friday's practice that Vick is still suffering symptoms from the concussions, including a headache, "just does not have that energy, is not very alert in terms of, he's tired all the time and he's slept a lot and he's not getting rid of the fatigue," said Burkholder.
Vick was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins and did not step on the practice field during the week. Vick will remain home when the Eagles take the train on Saturday for the road trip.
"He's just not the Michael Vick that I know when he's healthy," said Burkholder.
Vick took an "impact test" on Friday and was, according to Burkholder, below his baseline, another indicator that Vick is not ready to play. Vick will take another impact test on Monday. After that, Vick would take an "exercise challenge," which is a three- or four-phase program that challenges Vick when his heartrate increases.
"He has too many symptoms for us to even exercise him," said Burkholder, who said the Eagles are "early on" in the process. "He's not even close to playing this week."
Head coach Andy Reid said that he hasn't yet considered adding another quarterback should Vick not emerge from Phase 1 in the near future. The Eagles are taking Vick's health on a day-by-day basis.
In any event, Vick has not made fast progres from the concussion. His symptoms have not cleared up as quickly as some have, and Burkholder stressed that every concussion is different. This is Vick's second concussion with the Eagles.
Vick's weekend, then, is based around rest and darkness. Burkholder described Vick as "light sensitive," which is why Vick wears a visor when he plays. Vick is to lay low all weekend and not exercise and not play video games or anything that might disrupt his senses.
Vick's vision has returned after it was initially off during the Dallas game.
Burkholder is concerned, of course, because Vick is injured. In no way will the Eagles rush Vick back to the football field until he has gone through all of the mandated protocol. Vick is in the early stages of that process now, and there is truly no telling how long he might be out.
"You just don't know and that's why you don't judge and that's why you don't speculate with the coaches about when he might return," said Burkholder. "It's not fair to him and it's not fair to them. You just have to take it day by day. That's the best way. None of us will do anything crazy and he won't have pressure on him and all that kind of stuff."
