Eagles head coach Andy Reid told ESPN.com that if all goes well in practice for the next few days, the former Falcons quarterback will likely make his 2009 debut on Thursday, when Philadelphia takes on Jacksonville in a preseason matchup.
"I think there's a chance of that," Reid said. "Right now, that's the plan. But we'll see how it goes."
Vick was not permitted to play in the Eagles' first two preseason games according to the terms of his suspension, which will also keep him out of the first six games of the regular season.
When he returns to the field on Thursday, he will share time with Donovan McNabb and backup Kevin Kolb. He has spent most of his time in practice at quarterback and has put in some extra sessions with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach James Urban.
"I think everybody is [anxious], including most of all himself," Reid told ESPN.com. "I think he wants to get in and play again. I can't tell you right now how much he is going to play. But he's shooting to play this game."
Despite the fact that Vick last took the field during Atlanta's 7-9 campaign in 2006, Reid isn't worried about the three-time All-Star regaining his footing.
"It looks like — I'm talking about the football side — it looks like he's in pretty good shape," he said. "You could tell he's done some running and some lifting. It looked like he started out a little rusty throwing the ball and as the week went on that smoothed out for him a little bit."
The ultimate test will come on Thursday.
