Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Bruised Vick backs off on refs

Updated: September 26, 2011, 8:49 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles backed off their diagnosis of Michael Vick's injured hand and the star quarterback relented on his pointed criticism of NFL referees.

A CT scan taken Monday showed that Vick only bruised his hand in Philadelphia's 29-16 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. And later in the day, Vick said he won't be complaining about the officials anymore a day after saying they are failing to protect him from late hits.

Speaking to reporters as he was leaving the Eagles' facility on Monday, Vick said his hand is "still swollen, still sore" and displayed a large cast he is wearing. He also said he won't be complaining about the referees anymore. On Sunday he blasted officials, saying he wants to be treated like other quarterbacks.

Vick said he respected the jobs the referees have to do and wouldn't call them out again.

"The refs have to do their jobs and they have tons of things to look over," he said. "I was kind of out of character and being too candid in that aspect. Ultimately I have respect for the referees and their decision to make calls ... you won't hear me complaining about it anymore."

Earlier Monday, Eagles coach Andy Reid said X-rays taken during the game showed Vick may have had a fracture but a CT scan on Monday showed that Vick's hand wasn't broken.

"Today, he had a scan and it showed there was no break," Reid said. "It was a blood vessel sitting above the bone. That happens at times with X-rays. The blood vessel makes it look like it was a fracture. There is still a bunch of swelling. It is sensitive to the touch. The positive is there is not a fracture there."

It's uncertain if Vick, who throws left-handed, will play when the Eagles (1-2) host the San Francisco 49ers (2-1) next Sunday.

"We will see how he does over the next couple of days," Reid said. "We have to get the swelling where it is manageable and he feels comfortable."

Reid wouldn't say whether Mike Kafka or Vince Young would start if Vick can't play against the 49ers.

"He always wants to play, that's how he is," Reid said of Vick. "He's a competitive guy."

Vick was injured on a hit from Chris Canty after completing a 23-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin in the third quarter. He finished off the series and led the Eagles to a go-ahead field goal.

Vick left for X-rays, but returned without missing a play. He then left the game for good after another series.

Canty on Monday said the Giants weren't trying to hurt Vick.

"I didn't think there was anything wrong with the hit when it took place and I didn't think there was anything wrong with the hit after looking at it again today," he said. "It is unfortunate that he got injured. We are not out there trying to injure anybody. We are all competitiors and competing at the highest level. We have to go out there and play hard."

When asked if Vick has a case against referees for not getting as many flags as other quarterbacks, the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka said Vick may want to look for solutions from the Eagles first.

"I think he has a case with his team," Kiwanuka said. "I think they have to figure out a way to get better schematics to deal with that. It's a double-edged sword. That's one of their greatest weapons, but that's also one of their greatest downfalls is the fact that he is such a good runner and he does put it away so fast and people can get to him."

Kiwanuka said Vick's ability to run makes him different from other quarterbacks and harder for the officials to protect.

"Nobody wants to get hit that many times. I just feel like if you're going to be the kind of guy who's going to be able to tuck the ball and run, once you put the ball away (the officials) can't protect you as a quarterback anymore," he said. "You have to give that right up. If he's going to stand in the pocket and continue to just pass the ball then he would have an argument. Once you put that ball away you're surrendering (that right)."

Reid on Monday said Vick is "a marked man."

"I think it's important that we all keep a close eye on him," he said.

Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Ohm Youngmisuk and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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