Vick knocked out of game again; X-rays negative

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Michael Vick walked slowly off the field, shaken up for the second straight game. And he was eager to get back in the action.

Philadelphia's star quarterback was leveled on just his sixth play of the Eagles' 27-17 preseason win over the New England Patriots on Monday night. X-rays on his ribs were negative, but he was held out as a precaution.

"He's sore," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He was trying to talk me into going back in, so how sore is sore?"

Vick was knocked down by linebacker Jermaine Cunningham after heaving a long pass in the first quarter. Eleven days earlier, in a 24-23 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had X-rays on his left thumb - also negative - after hitting it on the helmet of center Jason Kelce. Vick took part in only six plays in that game, too.

"Mike's tough," Eagles running back LeSean McCoy said. "I kind of figured it would be all right, even though he took kind of a big blow."

On Monday, Nick Foles replaced Vick and threw two touchdown passes for the second straight game for the Eagles.

"I didn't give any speech or anything" when he joined his teammates in the huddle, Foles said. "I was ready to play and they were, too. I could look in their eyes and see the confidence."

Tom Brady sat out the game for the Patriots. The New England quarterback figures to play Friday night in the team's third preseason game, at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Other healthy starters, including wide receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd, tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and linebacker Jerod Mayo, were held out as well.

The Eagles (2-0) also have a quick turnaround between games. Vick had been expected to play at least a half Monday night and possibly rest on Friday night when Philadelphia faces the Cleveland Browns, also the Eagles' opponent in the regular-season opener.

Foles, a rookie third-round draft pick from Arizona, came in and finished 18 for 28 for 217 yards and touchdown passes to Clay Harbor of 1 and 3 yards.