Andy Reid delivered some surprising news on Christmas Eve, announcing that Nick Foles suffered a hairline fracture to his throwing hand against the Redskins and will not be able to play against the Giants in the regular season finale.
His replacement? Michael Vick.
“He’s had a couple weeks of practice here. The first week I thought he was a little bit rusty out there; this past week I thought he threw it around well. He feels good,” said Reid of Vick. “He obviously deserves that opportunity to play. He’s excited about it — I had a chance to talk to him this morning — and he’ll be ready to go.”
Foles suffered the injury to the second metacarpal at the end of the first half. It appeared to happen on a completion to LeSean McCoy. Foles faked a screen to Damaris Johnson, spun and was hit by Barry Cofield as he released the ball and landed on his right hand. He was having difficulty gripping the ball at halftime, Reid said, but X-rays were negative at the stadium and the decision was made to keep him in. An MRI later revealed the hairline fracture.
Reid indicated that this type of injury generally takes three weeks to recover from.
Vick hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion against the Cowboys back on November 11. Though cleared for a return prior to the Redskins game, he ran the scout team at practice and did not dress on Sunday. Now he gets an unexpected opportunity to showcase himself one final time before he enters an uncertain offseason.
“He’s really happy,” said a source close to Vick. “He’s excited that he gets a chance to go out and lead the guys again.”
Vick is set to earn around $16 million next season. The Eagles can walk away with virtually no damage if they release him by February 6. If he is on the roster at that time, $3 million of guaranteed money will kick in.
The decision was made following Vick’s concussion to give Foles an extended tryout, which has come with mixed results for the rookie. Foles finished 32-of-48 for 345 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble against Washington. His comeback bid came up short as he bounced one in front of Jeremy Maclin in the end zone in the closing seconds that could have tied the game.
It was known that Foles’ hand was sore. But the news that it was in fact broken shows that play, and Foles’ effort, in a new light.
“His hand was sore. But at the same time he played well that second half and made some nice throws,” said Reid. “That could have affected it. He’s a pretty tough kid, obviously, by going through this. He never said a word about it.”
In other injury news: Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks both have concussions; Jason Avant has a mild hamstring strain.
