Vick practices, likely to play vs. Giants

PHILADELPHIA -- He's back, and he's ready to take on the Giants on Sunday.

Just four days after suffering a concussion, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was throwing passes, making calls and running the huddle as if he had never left it. That's the picture that Vick's teammates painted Thursday after he participated fully in their afternoon practice.

"Mike Vick looked good," running back LeSean McCoy said. "He looked the same. He looked very accurate. He's our same leader he's been since day one. Nothing has really changed."

Said wide receiver Jason Avant: "It feels great for all of us to have him back in there. I mean, he's Michael Vick."

Vick has not talked to the media since suffering a concussion in the third quarter of the Eagles' 35-31 loss to Atlanta on Sunday. The team did not make him available Thursday and a team spokesman would say only that he "participated fully." The team did confirm that he had been cleared to return to play by the NFL-appointed independent neurologist.

Vick was injured while he was being sacked by safety William Moore. Trying to elude Moore, Vick spun around and knocked helmets with Eagles right tackle Todd Herremans.

After the hit, Vick left the game because he failed the NFL's baseline concussion test. On Wednesday, the Eagles said Vick was basically asymptomatic other than complaining of some neck soreness, which seemed to be unrelated to the concussion.

Vick reportedly is having his helmet refitted and will be using Kevlar to disperse the effects of an additional blow to the head. Though Kevlar has been used in hockey helmets and the military, this would be the first time it would be used in football.

The Eagles would not confirm the helmet change, nor would they say whether Vick is expected to play.

The Giants have said all week they are preparing as though Vick will play. "You have to get to the quarterback," Justin Tuck said. "Obviously, everyone knows the abilities of Michael Vick and it all starts with him. We have to put a lot of pressure on him so that we can't allow them those long, deep routes."

With Tom Rock