Vick Ruled Out vs. Redskins; Foles In

Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

The Nick Foles era in Philadelphia is officially upon us.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick is ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins due to a major concussion he suffered in last week’s 38-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

What’s worse?  We might not be seeing Vick anytime soon.  Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters that Vick has been resting at home all week and could be unavailable to play for the rest of the season.

“With concussions, they’re all different,” Burkholder said.  “We needed to take it day by day.  His two concussions he’s had with us have been different.”

In the meantime, Eagles head coach Andy Reid has no other choice but to insert 23-year-old rookie Foles as the starting quarterback against the Redskins come Sunday.  Foles has been taking first-string snaps all week during practice and says he is working real hard to prepare for his first NFL start.

“I assume there will be butterflies — nerves –  but I am going to keep working hard, keep studying the playbook, keep watching game film,” Foles said via NFL.com.  “The more you know about something, the more the nerves go down.”

Foles is sure to be tested on Sunday.  He will lineup behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league.  In fact, they’ve allowed 29 sacks through 9 games.  Luckily, they anticipate the return of right guard Danny Watkins, who missed the last three games due to a severe ankle sprain.  Still, Foles is bound to have some trouble staying in the pocket and avoiding the tough pass rush of the Redskins, who’ve compiled 21 sacks on the year.

Even with Vick at the helm, the Eagles wouldn’t have a shot against the upstart Redskins and their prized quarterback Robert Griffin III.  The second overall pick in the NFL draft has already made his mark in the league with his speed and athleticism.  As a result, the Eagles will have to alter their defensive scheme in factoring in his running attack.

“He;s a special athlete,” linebacker DeMeco Ryans said via CBSSports.com.  “He does things only a rare few have ever been able to do at the quarterback position and, as a defense, that has to get your attention.”

And chances are it will play in to a large extent in Sunday’s game in Washington, especially since they won’t have to pile on the points against the inexperienced Foles.  At 3.5 favorites, the Redskins will make the odds makers look foolish in what will turn out to be a 24-10 rout.