Eagles Notes: Reid, Vick’s Final Game? Cox, Kendricks Still Out

The Eagles can have a little hand a knocking the Giants out of the playoffs this season - the two teams meet for the second and final time this season Sunday at the New Giants Stadium (1pm, 97.3 ESPN). To make the playoffs, the Giants must beat the Eagles and have the Vikings and Beats lose their games to gain the second wild card spot.

Even though the Eagles can knock the Giants out of the playoffs with a win over Big Blue, Eagles head coach Andy Reid isn't stressing that to his team, “Probably not as much that as just having an opportunity to get better. We understand what the repercussions are if we beat them. We understand all that. But they’ve got one of those unique scenarios [where things] have to fall in place for them. We’re going in to try to better ourselves and play better than what we’ve been playing.”

The games other headline surrounds Reid.

Sunday could be the final game for Reid after back-to-back non-playoff seasons.  Reid told reporters Wednesday he is not thinking about that, “I really haven’t. I’m spending my time getting ready for New York. Want to make sure we play well, play better than we’ve been playing and coach better and play better. So, that’s really where my energy’s gone.”  He added that he hasn't entertained the idea that this could be his final game with the Eagles, “I haven’t gone there. I haven’t gone there and I’m not going to go there. I’m going to get through this game and make sure my football team’s ready to go.”

The injury report improved as well with four players not participating in practice. A pair of rookies, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and linebacker Mychal Kendricks each have concussions, neither will not practice and both will go through the protocol that the league’s given them for concussions.

“Right now, it looks like Cox is a little worse than Kendricks, but I can’t tell you," Reid explained on Wednesday.  "He’s got a headache today but he also has migraines. They’re evaluating that to see what’s what there. They’ll go through the protocol and just see what happens with it.”

Meanwhile receiver Jeremy Maclin did not practice on Thursday, Maclin tweaked the knee during Wednesday's practice session. It doesn't seem to be a serious injury and he should be ready to go in the season finale.

"I'll be out there [Friday]," Maclin told reporters Thursday.

If Cox can't go Sunday he would be replaced by Derek Landri, Akeem Jordan will take over the weak-side spot for Kendricks.

Tight end Evan Moore was also added to the Week 17 injury report and did not practice on Thursday.

A third story line is that the Eagles will start Michael Vick at quarterback, rookie Nick Foles is out with a broken hand.

“It’s great to know that you’re going to have a chance to go out and play. The one thing I never do is waver or back down from opportunities to go out there and get on the field regardless of what has transpired throughout the season. I’m fully confident in myself and the guys around me. We’ll have to go out there and put it all together for the last game and get a win for Andy.”

Vick, like Reid said he isn't thinking about this possibly being his last game with the team,

“I don’t think about it. The only thing I think about is going out there and trying to be productive for this football team, enjoy the last game [of the season] with my teammates, and make the most of it.”