Andy Reid said Thursday he’s going to work Mike Patterson back into the defensive line rotation at practice for the first time all season.

Does that mean the veteran could be on the field Monday night against the Saints?

“There is a chance there. Absolutely, there’s that chance,” Reid said.

A lot of Eagles players have grown weary of the talk. It’s not what is said during the week that counts, it’s the way they perform on game day that proves their mettle. It is a common refrain among the leaders in particular.

“You can only say so much and sometimes I get tired of talking,” said Michael Vick following the loss to Atlanta. “You get tired of talking and it’s more about letting your actions speak louder than your words.”

Ironically, this same group is hopeful that words will help save them.

Every Thursday we select a few of your Twitter questions and provide the long-form answers they deserve. For a chance to have your question published on Birds 24/7, send it to @Tim_McManus.

Jason Babin — or at least his Fan Club handle on Twitter — sent a message about loyalty to the Eagles fan base recently.

What was he getting at, exactly?

“Really I was speaking to, during the game there was a good section of fans chanting some of the most vile things I’ve ever heard — not just at a football game, but in life in general,” said Babin. “Talking about attacking Coach, talking about people’s wives and kids and chanting them. And I just thought there is no place for that in the NFL. None whatsoever. Just some of the foul things that they were saying.”

Yes, all the speculation was getting to Michael Vick.

“I’m human. It does tend to bother you because I have emotions just like everybody else. It’s not like you can just block certain things out sometimes,” said Vick. “You want to have that comfort level, you want to know everything is going to be what it’s is going to be at the end of the day. When you have that type of support, it’s easy to go out and make it all work. I kind of let it get to me, to be honest. But now it’s a totally different feel for me and I’m ready to go.”

Andy Reid made it sound today like Danny Watkins is unlikely to be ready Monday night, meaning rookie Dennis Kelly should expect to get his second straight start at right guard.

The possibility exists that Kelly could play himself into the starting job. Watkins was inconsistent through the first seven games, and Reid was asked if the former first-round pick will definitely get his job back once he’s healthy.

Andy Reid was in full damage-control mode Wednesday afternoon when he met with reporters and addressed the Eagles’ quarterback situation.

“I know a lot’s been said in regards to Michael [Vick],” Reid said. “I’ve learned a long time ago with you guys that there’s a time and a place when you’re upset, and I was upset after the game – not at Michael Vick. I was upset, starting with myself and not getting my team ready to play and work it from there, but I’ve learned to step back and evaluate. So that was my point to you. My point wasn’t that I was going to bench Michael Vick. It was that I needed to step back and evaluate before I came to you with something. So I mentioned yesterday that Michael, in regards to that, was the quarterback, is the quarterback, and will continue to be the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles. So I can’t make it any more clearer than that.”

Here’s an All-22 look at the issues plaguing the Eagles’ pass rush, with a focus on last week’s performance against the Falcons.

The NFL trade deadline will likely come and go today at 4 p.m. (EST) without much of a splash.

What are the chances the Eagles make a deal?

The answer is probably slim, but don’t rule out the possibility altogether.

Any drops of good will gathered by Nnamdi Asomugha for his performance against Calvin Johnson and the Lions spilled onto Lincoln Financial Field Sunday. The critics are back in full throat and more fed up than ever at their $60 million cornerback. Asomugha, like the rest of his defensive teammates, was largely ineffective in a 30-17 loss to the Falcons.

The tape confirms what many have contended: that the 31-year-old does not possess the kind of recovery speed necessary to be a shutdown corner. Not anymore. But there is more to the story. The blame does not rest solely on Asomugha’s shoulders.

Here’s what we saw from the Eagles’ offense in Sunday’s 30-17 loss to the Falcons after having reviewed the coach’s tape.

It took a while, but Andy Reid has finally backed Michael Vick. At least for Monday night.

Reid confirmed Wednesday morning that Vick will be his starter in New Orleans for the crucial game against the Saints.

Is it time to bench Michael Vick? Are Andy Reid’s day’s numbered? Here’s the weekly roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles.

Much of the focus has been on the win/loss record.

Jeffrey Lurie said 8-8 would not be good enough for Andy Reid to keep his job. At 3-4, the head coach is not on a track towards “substantial improvement.” As the weeks peel off the calendar, we keep our eyes on the standings, and wonder what the owner thinks of it all.

We should be using our ears as well.

Here is the latest on the quarterback situation:

As of early Tuesday afternoon Nick Foles had not received any indication that he is the starter for Monday night in New Orleans, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Does that mean Michael Vick will get the nod? Well, at the very least it means Andy Reid is running short on time if he plans on making a change. The Eagles do not resume practice until Thursday, but you would think he would want to give the rookie as much time as possible to mentally prepare for his first start.