Vick's hand injury not as bad as first feared for Eagles

Michael Vick may be fit to play for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday after a hand injury did not prove as bad as first feared.

An angry Michael Vick hit out at NFL match officials after suffering a hand injury on Sunday which has made it uncertain as to whether he will be fit for the Philadelphia Eagles' home game with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The quarterback suffered the injury during his side's 29-16 loss to the New York Giants, and he was disappointed not to have been given better protection from the officials.

"At some point, something catastrophic is going to happen," Vick said.

"Not to blame the refs or say that it was their fault, it's just one of those unfortunate situations and I just think more precautions should be taken when I'm inside the pocket. If you look at all the replays, I'm on the ground every time and it's unfortunate for myself and it's unfortunate for my team and I'll be lying if I said I wasn't, if I were to sit here and say I wasn't frustrated right now because of that."

Vick got hurt on a hit from Chris Canty after completing a 23-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin in the third quarter. It appeared, on replays, that Canty hit Vick in the face mask with his helmet.

Vick sat on the ground and lifted his helmet off slightly before getting helped up by a teammate and an official.

"There's no reason for me to go into a big dissertation about why I'm not getting the calls," Vick said. "The refs, they have to do their job as well. I even mentioned it in training camp to the refs when we had our little meeting, so just for precaution. But hey, I don't know."

Vick briefly left the field after being hurt for an X-ray on the hand, and he was replaced by Mike Kafka before he returned to the field to complete the game.

Andy Reid, the Eagles coach, said that a scan yesterday had shown that the hand was not broken, but was heavily swollen.

Reid told USA Today of Vick's chances of facing San Francisco: "We'll see how he does over the next couple days.

"If he feels comfortable [he could play], it's gotta be where he can bend his hand [and] work with it."

Elswehre, Jim Irsay, the Indianapolis Colts owner, believes there is an "outside chance" Peyton Manning, the quarterback, may return in December.

Irsay used Twitter yesterday to update Colts fans on Manning's status after remarks he made during a private breakfast with Super Bowl donors.

Avis Roper, a team spokesperson, said Manning's status has not changed and he has not been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Irsay wrote: "I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE, keeping him on ActiveRoster in taking it month by month/Outside chance of return in December possible.".

Manning has missed all three games this season, after his third neck surgery in 19 months. The Colts are 0-3 and with their latest reverse, 23-20 to Pittsburgh coming on Sunday.

* Agencies

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