Eagles Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy practice

The last time Michael Vick threw a pass at practice, the Eagles were 3-5 and preparing to play the Cowboys.

Not much has changed in the team's losing ways (the Birds are 1-4 since) and in Andy Reid's chances of returning next season (near zero). But Vick is no longer the starting quarterback.

Reid named Nick Foles his starter for the remainder of the season last week, and the rookie quarterback's comeback victory on Sunday cemented that there will be no going back to Vick even when he is cleared to return from a concussion.

He's getting close, as is LeSean McCoy, who suffered his concussion a week after Vick, team trainer Rick Burkholder said. The pair returned to practice Tuesday, albeit for a light session in which they were only partial participants with the scout team.

It was the first practice with Foles as the starter and Vick as the backup.

"There's no awkwardness," Foles said. "As I've said before, [our] relationship has stayed the same. I'll always support Mike and I know he'll always support me no matter what."

The Eagles have yet to rule out Vick and McCoy for Thursday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but sources close to both players said they would not dress for the home game.

Neither Vick nor McCoy was made available to the media, but when McCoy was asked after practice how it felt to be back, the running back answered, "If I was back, I'd be playing."

Vick has not spoken publicly since before he was hurt in the Nov. 11 game against Dallas. But several Eagles teammates said they were pleased to have both players back after extended absences.

"You never want to see somebody go through that. The head is nothing you want to play with," wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said. "So I feel those guys will be able to get back out there and do some things. It's going to be cool."

Vick and McCoy have made progress over the last several days. They passed baseline ImPACT tests on Monday and were in Phase 5 in the Eagles' protocol for returning from concussions.

To get through Phase 5, they must endure strenuous workouts with contact.

"They'll get a little bit of a runaround to get their legs back under them," Burkholder said before practice. "If we need to get contact with them more, it will probably be [Wednesday]."

Vick and McCoy also must be evaluated and cleared by team doctor Gary Dorhsimer and an independent neurologist on the same day before they can play. After Thursday night's game, the Eagles will not play again until Dec. 23 when they host the Redskins in their home finale.

It could be Vick's last game as an Eagle at Lincoln Financial Field. The team is not expected to bring the 32-year-old back next season, although that decision would likely be made by Reid's presumed successor.

"He's itching to get back out there," Jason Avant said of Vick.

The wide receiver said he took several throws from the quarterback.

"He looked good. He looked real good," Avant said. "Still spirals. He's one of the most spiral-throwing quarterbacks you'll ever meet."

McCoy's future with the Eagles is more defined, even with Bryce Brown's breakout performance in his first two starts. Brown, who was kept in check by the Buccaneers, will make his fourth straight start Thursday night.

While some fans would prefer the see McCoy shut down for the season, the Eagles may want to get a look at a backfield that features more of Brown with their franchise tailback.

Reid would surely welcome McCoy back once he is cleared. The Eagles won their first game in more than two months and are hoping to end with a four-game winning streak, as they did last season. Those victories saved Reid's job, although few expect a repeat finish to save it once again.

Either way, the remaining games won't be with Vick at the controls.

"He's continued to get better," Reid said of Foles. "This will be another challenge for him doing it on a short week. . . . It's one more step. Let's see how he does with it."