National Football League

Eagles head out West with Kolb at the helm

Published Oct. 9, 2010 11:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Eagles coach Andy Reid on Friday officially named quarterback Kevin Kolb the starter for Sunday's game against San Francisco, penciled in running back LeSean McCoy, and ruled out Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel.

Kolb replaces Michael Vick, who, along with McCoy, sustained rib injuries in the loss to Washington last Sunday. Samuel and rookie wide receiver Riley Cooper also incurred concussions in that game. Neither will make the trip out West.

Joselio Hanson will replace Samuel at cornerback.

With Vick sitting out practice all week, Kolb will make only his second start this season after a concussion forced him to sit out the second half of the opener.

"It's been a different year than I played out in my head, but here we are, in Week 5, and I'm starting," Kolb said.

"We just need to [improve to] 3-2. You let all the other distractions come into play, [and] then you're doing too much. I want to just focus on going out and doing the best I can, playing quarterback, and [having] the offense putting points on the board."

Reid said that McCoy practiced all week and went through a full workout before the team headed out to San Francisco. And while McCoy was listed as questionable on the injury report, Reid said he anticipates the running back will be able to play "the full game" on Sunday.

"He feels good," Reid said. "We'll see by game time. But I think he's going to be OK to go do a normal load."

After practice, McCoy said he felt "a little pain," but was otherwise "ready to go."

"I'm very excited to get out there and play some football," McCoy said. "It's another game for us."

With a lineup that features wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, tight end Brent Celek, and fellow running back Mike Bell, McCoy said he didn't think he would have to carry the load on Sunday.

"The good thing about this offense is, we got a lot of playmakers," McCoy said. "So I don't think there's a lot of pressure on me. Just help each other out."

Samuel did not pass his concussion tests, the latest one coming Friday. Cooper initially passed his tests, but continued to show concussion symptoms.

With Cooper out, practice-squad wide receiver Chad Hall took repetitions with the first unit. For Hall to play, the Eagles must cut a player before Sunday's game to activate him.

"It's the same thing I've done every week" preparation-wise, Hall said. "But now I'm just going on the trip, and we'll see what happens.

"Anyway they could use me, I'll be ready."

Kolb was named the starter for opening night, but was unable to finish the game. Vick filled in, nearly rallying the team back from a deficit, and was rewarded a game later with the starting spot.

Vick led the Eagles (2-2) to wins in the two full games he played until he was hurt in the first quarter against Washington. Now, Kolb will get another look.

"He's done a good job" preparing this week, Reid said of Kolb on Friday. "[He's] done everything we've asked him to do. [He] seems comfortable with the game plan, and he's fired up about playing."

Notes. Max Jean-Giles will start at right guard as Nick Cole recovers from a knee injury. Cole, who practiced all week but sat out Friday, shifts to backup center behind Mike McGlynn. . . . Reggie Wells (illness) was out Friday but still will travel with the team. . . . The NFL announced that safety Quintin Mikell was fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle on Washington's Santana Moss last Sunday.

Follow the Eagles all day on the blog at http://go.philly.

com/ eagles

Contact staff writer Mario Aguirre at 215-854-4550 or maguirre@phillynews.com.