Eagles Inactives vs Bucs, Prediction

Michael Vick is active as the Eagles' emergency quarterback only Sunday, meaning he will dress but will not start the Buccaneers game.

The news is not a shock, he practiced on a limited basis this week, but it means Philadelphia will be facing Tampa Bay – who has fourth ranked total defense in the NFL  – without its starting quarteback. Vick will not be starting due to a hamstring injury.

That means for the second straight week, Nick Foles will play in place of Vick, Foles had started six games for Philadelphia last season. Foles, a third-round draft pick had some moments last week against a poor New York defense, but will now face a very good Tampa defense – no easy task.

The Bucs will also be missing their starting wide receiver Mike Willams is inactive for Sunday’s week six game against the Eagles with a hamstring injury.  Bucs starting left guard Carl Nicks is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Eagles with a staph infection.

Eagles inactives: TE James Casey, CB Shaun Prater, CB Jordan Poyer, T Matt Tobin, T Dennis Kelly, DE Damion Square and TE Emil Igwenagu.

Bucs inactives: WR Mike Williams, CB Michael Adams, DE William Gholston, CB Rashaan Melvin, G Carl Nicks, G Patrick Omameh and DE Trevor Scott.

Reaction:

Vick was never expected to play despite being listed as questionable and is targeting a Week 7 return vs. the Cowboys.  As for Foles, his only win as a starter came in week 14 last season at Tampa, when he went 32-of-51 for 381 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions - he hopes to duplicate that today.

The Bucs have lost their starting left guard Carl Nicks with a recurrence MRSA.  Bucs beat writer Rick Stroud reports he may need surgery to treat it. Gabe Carimi will be forced to fill in, which is a downgrade for Doug Martin and the Bucs running game.  Bucs starting cornerback Johnthan Banks, who also had MRSA has been cleared to play for week six against the Eagles.

Eagles rookie QB Matt Barkley who said this week that his right shoulder was still an issue during the offseason, will be active for the first time ever, presumably as the back-up quarterback, should Foles get hurt he would be the next man up.

The Pick: Eagles 28, Bucs 22