Donovan McNabb isnât ready to play after breaking a rib, league sources told NFL Networkâs Jason La Canfora, so Kevin Kolb will be the Philadelphia Eaglesâ starting quarterback in Sunday's home opener against the New Orleans Saints.
McNabb made good progress this week, the sources said, but not good enough to face the Saints. Instead, the start goes to Kolb, a 2007 second-round draft pick who has played in eight NFL games.
Kevin Kolb
, QB
Philadelphia Eagles
Career Statistics
Games/Starts: 8/0
Passing Yards: 167
TD/INT: 0/4
Jeff Garcia, an 11-year NFL veteran who signed with the Eagles on Tuesday, will be the only other quarterback. Michael Vick, suspended for the first two regular-season games as the final league penalty for his role in running a dogfighting ring, isnât eligible to play until next weekâs game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Garcia wished Kolb well Friday but said he's prepared to play if pressed into action.
"I'd be fired up," Garcia said. "If for some reason that opportunity presented itself, I'll be ready. I'll be ready to go."
However, Reid expressed his faith in Kolb, who completed 7 of 11 passes for 23 yards and was sacked twice after taking over for McNabb in last week's season-opening victory over the Carolina Panthers.
"He takes charge in there, and he's done a nice job with managing the huddle and the plays," Reid said.
The Eagles listed McNabb as doubtful on their Friday injury report after he missed practice for the third consecutive day. He broke a rib when several Panthers defenders crunched him on his 3-yard touchdown run during the third quarter.
NFL RedZoneWatching football on Sundays will be a whole new experience with NFL Network's channel, NFL RedZone. Find out why. |
Reid said Friday that McNabb's rib has become "sticky" -- or more stable -- which was encouraging.
"When they start feeling better, that's normally a sign that's happened," he said.
McNabb, Garcia and Vick have 12 Pro Bowls and six NFC championship-game appearances between them, and Kolb has 167 career passing yards and four interceptions. However, Kolb said Friday that he was growing more comfortable at each practice and knows he's ready to handle the job.
"I had about 12 people come up to me and say, 'God, you look as ready as you'll ever be,'" Kolb said. "Now it's about going out there and making sure it happens."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
