Quarterback Michael Vick participated on Monday in his first practice since mid-November, when two of his ribs were broken early in the first quarter of a loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and is looking to make his first start since the injury on Sunday against the Dolphins.
"I'll absolutely be out there in Miami," said Vick. "It felt great to be back out there with my teammates and throw the ball around with them. Now, I have a little more confidence with my ribs. It feels like I haven't played in months, so I'm excited to be out there.
"I wouldn't say my ribs are 100 percent, but I'm getting better every day and I feel good."
Although the 10-year veteran was not to blame for the injury he sustained, he took responsibility for getting this team back on track.
"It's been tough watching the last three weeks from home, especially with us losing the last two," Vick said. "I'm still enthusiastic about the rest of the season and where we are. Obviously we want to finish strong and win these last four games. We just need to keep our heads up and keep moving in the right direction.
"I feel like I, personally, have to be accountable to my team. I just want to get back to doing what I love to do, which is playing football. There's nothing in the world like this game that I put my heart and soul into."
With losses by the Giants and Cowboys on Sunday, the Eagles kept their playoff hopes alive. The Eagles could win the NFC East with an 8-8 record. Vick is well aware of this and wants to make up for the time he missed with four wins to cap off the season.
"We have to keep playing hard and working for our coaches," he stressed. "We can still make the playoffs, so we need to finish this out strongly."
With the Giants and Cowboys playing one another this coming Sunday, Eagles fans will be rooting for New York to stall the 7-5 Cowboys. If that happens, the Eagles could find themselves, again within striking distance of the division lead. All that said, the Eagles first need to grab a win against the resurgent Dolphins, who have won four of their last five games after starting the year 0-7.
As much as the phrase has been thrown around in recent weeks, Sunday's game in Miami is truly a "must-win" affair.
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