National Football League

At least two devoted Kolb fans will be at Sunday's game

Published Oct. 16, 2010 11:04 a.m. ET

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Aside from other obvious clues, one sign that Kevin Kolb will start at quarterback on Sunday is that he told a reporter Thursday he was flying his parents, Roy and Lanell, from Texas for the Eagles' home game against the Atlanta Falcons.

A few weeks earlier, Kolb grounded his parents' flight to Philadelphia for the Washington game because, as he so aptly put it, "I'd been benched."

But with Michael Vick's ribs still not 100 percent, the Kolbs will witness their son's first start at Lincoln Financial Field since he was knocked out of the opener, Eagles coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday.

Since Vick damaged his rib cartilage in the first half of the Redskins game, Kolb has been sharp, nearly rallying the Eagles past Washington and a week later guiding them over the 49ers in his first start since his benching.

The Eagles, of course, are hoping to avoid a third straight home game in which their starting quarterback has been injured. Not coincidentally, they lost those first two games. If Kolb were to get hurt again, there is some question as to who would replace him - Vick or rookie Mike Kafka.

Vick, who practiced Friday for the first time since his injury, could dress, Reid said. The coach did not indicate whether Vick would be Kolb's backup and therefore be allowed to enter the game at will or if he would be the emergency third quarterback.

"I would like to be involved," Vick said. "But whatever my role is, whatever we can do, that's what we'll do and just try to make sure we do it right."

Vick said that he still felt discomfort in both his shoulders. He took a handful of snaps with the scout team, threw some, and was able to complete the handoff to the running back, which Reid said had caused Vick pain earlier.

Reid left open the possibility that Vick could be used as a change-of-pace quarterback to Kolb as he was in the opener. But he couldn't be the third quarterback if that were the case, and it would be a highly unlikely move to expose Vick to further injury.

And Kolb has fared better without the "MV" package that appeared to disrupt his rhythm in the first game. It's also allowed him more repetitions during the last two weeks of preparation.

"Maybe it's an [extra] handful of plays," Kolb said. "You just get to see one more different look at that particular play . . . and that's just a little more prepared you are."

In the first half of the Green Bay game, Kolb took 19 snaps to Vick's four. He completed 5 of 10 passes for 24 yards. In the last seven-plus quarters, save for a direct snap each to receiver DeSean Jackson and running back Eldra Buckley against San Francisco, Kolb has taken every snap and completed 43 of 66 passes for 454 yards and two touchdowns.

"I always approach the game like, 'All right, I'm the starter. Here we go. I'm going to be out there,' " said Kolb, who handled the insertion of Vick well last season in the Kansas City win. "Sometimes the 'MV' plays surprise me: 'Oh yeah.' But then I come back in."

Vick may be questionable, but defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and tackle Jason Peters are out. Bunkley had what was originally feared to be a season-ending elbow injury, but Reid said the swelling in the joint had decreased.

Peters had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday to repair a meniscus tear. Reid said he was "surprised to see him walking around yesterday" after the surgery and offered an explanation for Peters' struggles this season.

"You could see why his leg, he wasn't able to support his weight on it," Reid said. "Pretty tough kid to play through what he was playing through."

The coach had no timetable for a return, so King Dunlap will start at left tackle. Trevor Laws and Antonio Dixon will rotate in at Bunkley's spot, and practice squad member Jeff Owens could be signed to the 53-man roster by tomorrow, Reid said.

If that were to happen, the Eagles would need to cut a player. That move - maybe releasing receiver Chad Hall - could depend on whether receiver Riley Cooper (concussion) is fit enough to dress. He skipped practice the day before but was back Friday.

Other injuries

Running back LeSean McCoy (ribs) and guard Todd Herremans (knee) practiced for the second straight day after missing Wednesday's session. Both are listed as probable. Reid said that Herremans, partly because the team practiced indoors for the last two days, rotated with Nick Cole (knee) at left guard. Reggie Wells also handled a few reps there.

Tight end Brent Celek (wrist), cornerback Dimitri Patterson (back), tackle Austin Howard (back), and Cole are also probable.

The Eagles have until after the ninth week of the season to decide whether to activate defensive end Victor Abiamiri, who is currently on the physically unable to perform list, or place him on injured reserve.

Extra points

Reid didn't sound optimistic about newly-acquired running back Jerome Harrison being up to speed on the Eagles' offense in time to dress Sunday. "It's really not fair to the kid," Reid said. "He's been here two days, so we're cramming him full of stuff here." The Eagles dealt running back Mike Bell to Cleveland in exchange for Harrison. . . . Jackson, despite tweaking his knee during a punt return Sunday, said that he still wants to handle returns. On Wednesday, Reid said Jackson was still his No. 1 punt returner, but that he didn't rule out using Jorrick Calvin as he's done already. . . . The Eagles at New York Giants game on Dec. 19 will remain a 1 p.m. start despite the NFL's flex scheduling for late-season games.

Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745 or jmclane@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Jeff_McLane.

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