Vick Practices, Intends to Play

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick took part in the team's light practice today and said he intends to play Sunday against Miami. Vick was upbeat afterward and said he was able to throw without pain.

Vick has missed the last three games with broken ribs. The Eagles have gone 1-2 in his absence.

Andy Reid had expressed concern about Vick's ability to get full torque on the ball when he throws, which apparently kept him from returning Thursday at Seattle, when backup Vince Young threw four interceptions.

Vick said it was important to finish strong and agreed with a questioner that these final four games will be a test of his leadership.

"Threw the ball around a little bit and just gained confidence in the areas where I'd felt hampered a little bit," Vick said. "It feels like I haven't played in a month or so ... I'm happy that I completed practice, and I'm looking forward to a great week."

Wideout Jeremy Maclin did not practice, but Maclin said that was for precautionary reasons, that he intends to practice Wednesday and play in Miami. He said he is confident his hamstring is healed, and that his shoulder inury can be managed.

Vick said: "I wish I could have been out there the last three weeks, but it just hasn't panned out that way. We've got to keep our heads up and moving in the right direction."

Asked about speculation surrounding Eagles coach Andy Reid, with the team 4-8, Vick said: "I'm not concerned about coach Reid's situation. I think everything's going to be just fine. We all know -- we had our bad breaks this year, to be honest, Let's be candid right now. We've had our bad breaks, games we should have won. We've put ourselves in awesome positions to be in the ballgame, and then just couldn't pull it out, whether on offense or defense. Honestly, I just don't think coach Reid had anything to do with that.

"To hear (speculation about Reid) really upsets me ... I just know everything's going to be fine."

Vick said he wouldn't say his ribs are 100 percent, but he feels there's enough time before Sunday to get there. "I feel good," he said.

The Eagles were not required to release an official injury report, since this was a Monday practice, a day when they wouldn't normally work out at all. But offensive tackle King Dunlap (concussion) said he was cleared today and practiced. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (concussions, stinger, knee) did not seem to have been a full participant. Ditto corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.