PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick has to watch his teammates play from home.
Vick won't play when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New York Giants on Sunday because of two broken ribs. He won't even be on the sideline because injured players typically don't make the trip.
Vince Young will make his first start for Philadelphia in Vick's place. He's thrown one pass this season — an interception.
Vick didn't practice this week because he broke his two lower ribs on the second play in a 21-17 loss to Arizona last Sunday. He got up slowly after taking a hard hit to the side, but didn't tell anyone the extent of the injury and played the rest of the game. He was off target most of the game and finished 16 of 34 for 128 yards and two interceptions.
Vick was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, but was ruled out after Saturday's walkthrough. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin also won't play because of shoulder and hamstring injuries.
The Eagles (3-6) desperately need a victory over the first-place Giants (6-3) to avoid being all-but-mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. The defending NFC East champions began this season with Super Bowl aspirations, but have failed to live up to those enormous expectations.
Vick's inconsistency is among the reasons the Eagles have underachieved. Vick has hardly resembled the guy who was an MVP candidate and a Pro Bowl starter last season. He's already thrown 11 interceptions in nine games. He had six picks all of last season.
Young was 30-17 as a starter and went to two Pro Bowls in five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He was one of several high-profile players Philadelphia signed after the lockout. So far, Young's only contribution was labeling the Eagles a "Dream Team" at his first news conference at training camp.
It's been a nightmare season instead.
Second-year pro Riley Cooper will likely start in Maclin's place. Cooper doesn't have any catches this season.