Here's something we didn't expect to write again this year: Michael Vick is expected to start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eagles coach Andy Reid announced Monday that rookie Nick Foles broke his right hand during the previous day's 27-20 loss to the Washington Redskins and will miss the regular-season finale against the New York Giants. Foles' injury occurred on the second-to-last play of the first half against the Redskins, and an MRI after the game revealed a hairline fracture in his throwing hand.
"There's a pretty good chance that Mike will be the starter," Reid said. "That's what I'm looking at right now. That's the direction I'm going as we speak right now."
Vick said all the right things since his demotion, although he repeatedly pointed out that he isn't a "backup quarterback" and sees himself as a starter. He now will have one final chance to prove it as an Eagle.
Even though the Eagles will miss out on evaluating Foles for another week, this is a fitting conclusion to the Reid era. Reid's evaluation of Vick -- making him a franchise quarterback with a contract to match -- was part of the coach's undoing over the last two years. Now it appears the two men will go out together.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.