Michael Vick Injury: Concussion Could Mean Mike Kafka Starts In Philadelphia

Michael Vick was diagnosed with a concussion on Sunday night, and may have an uphill to be clear in time for the Philadelphia Eagles home-opener this week. Vick took a beating in the pocket on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, and was finally knocked out the game as his head slammed into his own lineman just after he released a pass. Vick was spitting blood, and Andy Reid later revealed the Eagles' dynamic quarterback had been diagnosed with a concussion.

It's always bothered me to see concussions deemed slight, mild or labeled with other terms downplaying their significance. In that regard, we have no idea how "severe" Vick's concussion is, but just looking at how he acted and what he looked like following the hit that knocked him out of the game, it became clear something was wrong. Vick was reportedly moving around slowly in the locker room, still suffering the effects of the concussion.

So where does he go from here? It's not as simple as a doctor shining a light in his eyes and giving him a thumbs up. There are stringent rules in place when it comes to concussion testing, and rightfully so. Each fall, every player is put through a baseline test, then measured against that test to determine when they're over the concussion. Vick will have to go through this process, which will be ongoing throughout the week, and must pass before being medically cleared to play.

Considering the circumstances, he may not play in the Eagles' home opener. It's not the end of the world, though. In fact, it's a good thing. A concussion is a dangerous thing, and the long-lasting affects aren't worth a rush to return to action.

If Vick can't go, Mike Kafka, who actually looked competent in limited action, will likely start for the Eagles. Vince Young is still nursing a hamstring injury, and Kafka is, essentially, the only option. But with an offense full of weapons and a capable running back in LeSean McCoy, Kafka may be fine as a stop-gap.

For more on this game, check out our Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation. To catch up on NFL Week 2's action, visit our StoryStream.