PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy have been ruled out for the Eagles’ game against Carolina on Monday night because of concussions.
Coach Andy Reid announced the decisions Saturday.
Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said Vick is symptom-free, but McCoy has headaches and dizziness.
Vick was injured against Dallas on Nov. 11 and didn’t play last week in the Eagles’ 31-6 loss to Washington, their sixth straight loss. McCoy was hurt in the fourth quarter against the Redskins.
Rookies Nick Foles and Bryce Brown will start in place of Vick and McCoy. Foles will make his second career start at quarterback, and Brown his first NFL at tailback.
Burkholder said Vick has advanced to phase three of the team’s five-phase concussion recovery protocol, which is separate from the NFL-mandated concussion program.
“Every thing’s progressing as normal with him,” Burkholder said. “He reports no symptoms, no headache, no vision problems, no nauseu, no fatigue. He hasn’t reported any symptoms after he did his workout today.”
Burkholder said Vick participated in moderate heart-rate exercise on a bike machine Saturday and was symptom-free afterward for the first time.
Burkholder wouldn’t speculate whether Vick would be able to play against the Cowboys on Dec. 2.
“I’m encouraged at the way he’s doing, but if he plays he plays, if he doesn’t he doesn’t,” Burkholder said. “But he’s going to be healthy before he plays.”
Browns wave off white flags: CLEVELAND The Cleveland Browns have waved off their white-flag giveaway.
Following days of criticism, the Browns have decided to cancel a promotion to hand out white flags to fans before Sunday’s game against the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Because white flags symbolize surrender, the giveaway seemed to imply the Browns were giving up against the Steelers, who have won 16 of the past 17 games between the AFC North foes.
Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis said in a statement on Saturday that the team scrapped the idea “in the best interests of everyone. It is something that was intended to be fun for our fans and that they could rally around, and we regret that some didn’t perceive it that way.”
The flag giveaway was poorly received by many Browns fans and even some players.
Vikings’ Harvin ruled out: EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have declared wide receiver Percy Harvin out of Sunday’s game at Chicago because of his sprained left ankle.
Harvin was listed doubtful on Friday after missing another week of practice, and the team downgraded him to out on the injury report Saturday while deciding not to take him on the trip so he can continue to rest. Harvin was hurt Nov. 4 at Seattle and missed the Nov. 11 game.
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