By By Jeff Mclane, The Philadelphia Inquirer (MCT)

PHILADELPHIA — Asante Samuel did not practice with the Eagles for the second straight day, putting his availability for Saturday’s game at Dallas very much in question.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said Samuel tried to run on his strained hamstring Tuesday, but that the cornerback felt sore afterward and was subsequently held out from Wednesday’s and Thursday’s sessions.

“Asante is still a little sore, and we’ll just see how he does here over the next couple days,” Reid said.

Because of the short work week, Thursday was the last strenuous practice before the Eagles board a flight Friday afternoon. There will be a light walk-through in the morning at which point the team will decide whether or not Samuel is fit enough to travel.

The Eagles aren’t required to release their official injury report for the Cowboys game until Friday.

If Samuel can’t go, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will make his first start at left cornerback. Rodgers-Cromartie did start against Buffalo in October, but that was as the nickel cornerback, where he’s played most of the season.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who was acquired in the trade with Arizona for Kevin Kolb during training camp, filled in for Samuel when he left in the second quarter of Sunday’s game vs. the New York Jets.

“That’s where he’s played over the years,” Reid said. “We worked him as an inside player, and I thought he was getting better every week with that, but his natural spot, where he feels the most comfortable, is on the outside.

“He’s looked good; he’s done a nice job. He doesn’t have a problem doing it.”

Samuel attended the first part of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices, taking mental repetitions at certain points. Reid was asked if the 30-year-old Samuel, because of his experience, could play despite the lack of preparation this week.

“Yeah, he knows what we’re doing,” Reid said.

Samuel hasn’t missed a game this season, but the possibility of his not being ready by Saturday’s 4:15 p.m. kickoff is one of the scenarios the Eagles had in mind when they decided to keep three starting-caliber cornerbacks this season.

“We have this many talented corners on the team so we can fit people in when somebody goes down, if need be,” said Nnamdi Asomugha, the third component of that triumvirate. “I don’t think every team has that to their advantage.”

Rodgers-Cromartie missed three games in late November and early December due to a high-ankle sprain. Joselio Hanson replaced him in the nickel and has pretty much stayed in the slot even though Rodgers-Cromartie has been healthy the last two games.

Rodgers-Cromartie, who wasn’t available for comment Thursday, had never played the nickel before this season, and it has showed often.

That said, no one seems all that concerned.

“I think he’ll be OK,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said on Thursday, after the win.

Should that not be the case, Reid would turn to second-year quarterback Mike Kafka to be the No. 2. Kafka, from Northwestern, was 34-of-49 in four preseason games, totaling 369 yards, with two touchdowns and as many interceptions.

“I’m just very comfortable with him,” Reid said. “He’s had a good preseason, and so I have enough trust there.”

The Eagles open Sept. 11 at St. Louis.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Michael Vick is glad he chose the Philadelphia Eagles, even if he had more attractive options.

After telling GQ magazine that he didn’t want to come to Philadelphia to be a third-string quarterback following his release from federal prison two years ago, Vick clarified his remarks late Thursday after he threw three interceptions in a 24-14 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I wanted to be with (coach Andy Reid),” Vick said. “I knew that I was going to have to sit, but I knew it was going to pay great dividends for me. I couldn’t see it at the time, but that goes to show how much I know because of how things worked out. I’m glad to be an Eagle and hopefully I will be for a long time.”

Vick was speaking to the media hours after he released a statement through the team that reiterated his stance that the choice to sign with the Eagles was solely his, with consultation from his agent and family.

Vick rejuvenated his career with the Eagles, started in the Pro Bowl last year and finished runner-up to Tom Brady for NFL MVP. In the September issue of GQ, Vick says that he consulted with Commissioner Roger Goodell before signing with Philadelphia.

“I think I can say this now, because it’s not going to hurt anybody’s feelings, and it’s the truth,” Vick says. “I didn’t want to come to Philadelphia. Being the third-team quarterback is nothing to smile about. Cincinnati and Buffalo were better options.”

The article states: “After meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell and other reps from the NFL, Vick was convinced — and granted league approval — to sign with Philly.”

Vick is then quoted saying: “And I commend and thank them, because they put me in the right situation.”

Vick reiterated those thoughts in the visiting team’s media room as midnight approached Thursday, denying that the distraction of day’s controversy had anything to do with performance.

In validating his decision to sign with the Eagles after being tempted by opportunities where he might have had the chance to start immediatelt, Vick pointed to a preseason game against the New York Jets that first season with Philadelphia in 2009.

“I tried to take off running, and I fell flat on my face because I had no legs up under me,” he said. “That right there really showed me that I wasn’t ready to play an entire season. The pressures that came along with it, what it takes as far as your body and physical condition and endurance that you need. After that game I was just happy to have that opportunity to sit back and watch the game for a year, be a rookie again.”

Vick acknowledged that he initially was seeking a team where he could have the opportunity to start immediately. Vick also talked about how, even after discussions with Reid compelled him to sign with the Eagles, the quarterback still had to convince ownership (Jeffrey Lurie and family) he was fit to join the team.

“As a competitor, you want to play, and of course Cincinnati and Buffalo were on the table at that time,” Vick said. “I really had to evaluate my situation and how my body felt, had to take some things into consideration and also had to convince them to let me come here. That was after I made the decision to come here and negotiations with my agent with the Eagles. Once the decision was made and they bring me that’s when everything worked out.”

The NFL issued the following statement Thursday: “Michael Vick’s decision on where to play to put himself in the best position to succeed was entirely his own. Commissioner Goodell obviously met and spoke to Michael and his representatives as part of his decision on whether to reinstate Michael and on what terms. But the commissioner would never steer players to or away from particular teams and did not do so in this case.”

Vick played sparingly in 2009 behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. McNabb was traded to Washington in April 2010, and Vick eventually replaced Kolb after he was injured in the season opener last year. Vick had the best all-around season of his career, led the Eagles to the NFC East title and was The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson will report Monday to training camp at Lehigh University, according to multiple sources.

Jackson has been holding out for a new contract to replace his rookie deal that has him making $565,000 this season.

If Jackson does not report by Tuesday, he would forfeit a year toward free agency and if he were to hold out past Thursday, he’d be fined $30,000 for each day he missed at training camp.

Jackson will almost certainly not practice without a new deal due to fear of injury. A plausible schedule has him reporting Sunday or Monday, working out a deal Monday and Tuesday (the players’ day off) and be ready for practice on Wednesday (which is a just a walk-through before the first preseason game with Baltimore on Thursday and is closed to fans).

So, with the team off Friday, fans could first see Jackson practicing Saturday at Lehigh.

Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie reinforced the team’s long-standing refusal to negotiate with holdouts Thursday when he said: “That’s been our philosophy consistently.”

So Jackson reporting would allow his new deal to be negotiated, while the Eagles maintain their policy on holdouts and Jackson does not lose a free-agent year.

Vick’s Contract

Jackson ending his holdout may pave the way for a new deal for Michael Vick, but the Eagles’ quarterback doesn’t seem in a hurry.

“It’s a positive thing but it’s something that I’m not concerned about and not worried about,” Vick said regarding a new contract. “When it happens, it happens. I’ve just got to keep getting better as a quarterback and as a player to prove I’m worthy of anything that comes to me.”

Greater intensity

Saturday’s morning practice offered a very different intensity, almost a real in-season feel, throughout the 2 1/2 hours of full-contact drills.

Wide receiver Jason Avant said it felt a “little like a game out there” while first-round draft pick guard Danny Watkins said the practice had a “special energy.”

Vick agreed.

“I don’t know what happened today, man,” Vick said. “There was just something there. You know, the last couple days the offense has gotten the best of the defense, and I think two days before that the defense got the best of the offense. And it was just one of those days where I guess on both sides of the ball it’s just like, ‘We’re going to win on each and every down.’ And that’s what it takes to be a champion.”

The effort was appreciated by the large crowd on hand.

“The fans were great today,” Avant said.

Put’em Up

Saturday’s practice featured the first brouhahas of camp — to call them “fights” would be to wildly exaggerate — on consecutive plays in full-contact drills.

First, defensive end Jason Babin and offensive tackle King Dunlap hooked up, followed by Watkins and linebacker Moise Fokou.

“It’s part of the game,” Watkins said. “I’m not going to talk much about it; what happened on the field stays on the field.”

Quote of the day

Quote of the day, from Watkins, whose first week in camp has obviously been a bit of a whirlwind:

“I’m glad we have the first (preseason) game coming up Thursday … (looks quizzically at reporter) … It is Thursday, right? (shakes head) … The only way I knew today was Saturday was that we had all these fans and people here.”

Thinking overrated

Defensive end Darryl Tapp said new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo’s system has liberated the defensive linemen.

“Last year our minds tied up our legs at times,” said Tapp, one of the wittiest and most engaging of Eagles. “Coach Castillo has made it a lot easier. You have to teach yourself not to think (as much as they did last season). Coach Castillo has taken the reins off of us; he has set us free.”

Play of day

Play of the day: Exploiting his newfound freedom, Tapp came flying through the middle at third-string quarterback Mike Kafka on the final play of full-pads workouts, tipped Kafka’s pass straight up, snatched it out of the sky, and ran it back for a score — or would have had Vick not bolted out off the sidelines and “tackled” Tapp.

“He’s just having fun,” tight end Brent Celek said of Vick.

“The biggest thing was getting off on the ball.” Tapp said. “I was able to get a great get-off, saw the ball coming out high because of the blitz, got my hand on it, saw the ball, made a play on it and took off.”

Other highlights: a terrific Jaiquawn Jarrett tip-and-pick of a Vick pass intended for Chad Hall; a fine deep catch by wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins; kicker Alex Henery booming kickoffs for touchbacks; and linebacker Akeem Jordan’s pick-six of Kafka on a route over the middle.

Harris motivated

Veteran free-agent offensive tackle Ryan Harris, who started 34 games in four years in Denver, said he’s hoping to earn the starting job at right tackle.

“Wherever they decide they want me, I’ll go there,” Harris said. “I know I have as good a chance as anybody to take that spot but I have a lot of work to do. I have to learn every opportunity I get.”

Harris, 26, said taking on Howard Mudd’s system was something he welcomed.

“It’s definitely different than the system I have learned before and at this point in my career I accept the challenge to learn it,” he said. “Everything (Mudd) does is different. He’s already made me a better player.”

Celek anxious

Celek said the Eagles can’t wait for the first preseason game, which comes Thursday at home against Baltimore.

“You know, I know it seems hard for you guys (the press) to believe but we’re out here banging every single day, so we would rather it be another team instead of our own guys because it gets old,” Celek said. “But we’re excited to play games. Once you get into the game part of things, it’s fun.”

Injury update

Sick call: Defensive tackle Brandon Collier (ankle) and wide receiver Sinorice Moss (groin) left practice with injuries. Safety Nate Allen (knee) did not practice.

Still banged up from past practices and out are safety Marlin Jackson (groin), cornerback Brandon Hughes (hamstring), cornerback Jorrick Calvin (shoulder), defensive tackles Trevor Laws (hip), Antonio Dixon (knee) and Cedric Thornton (knee).

Rookie running back and Blair Academy graduate Dion Lewis (lower leg) participated in some of morning practice but left the session early.

Saturday afternoon’s walk-through was moved into Rauch Fieldhouse due to inclement weather. Fans are not admitted to any inside practice, something to note given that storms are in the forecast for Bethlehem the next two days of camp.

Autographs

Today’s practices will be at 8:05 a.m. and 2 p.m., the latter being a walk-through. Quarterbacks and defensive backs will be in the autograph tent following the morning session; last chance for a Michael Vick or Nnamdi Asomugha signing. Expect crowds.

Multiple sources reported late Thursday night that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed quarterback Vince Young to a one-year-deal.

Young, 28, was released after five often-controversial seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Young, a two-time Pro Bowler, has a career quarterback rating of 76.2 and has 42 touchdown passes and 42 interceptions on his career, but has also win 30 of his 47 career starts. Young has rushed for 1,380 yards and 12 TDs on his career and his mobility makes him a good fit in the Eagles’ offense designed for Michael Vick.

Young, who led Texas to a national championship in college, could be at the Eagles’ training camp at Lehigh University as early as Friday.

When asked how disappointed he was that Jackson did not report, Roseman said, “We’re going to keep that internal, and all conversations with DeSean we’re going to keep private.”

Jackson had 47 catches for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns last season, and his 22.5 yard-per-catch average led the league. He also averaged 11.6 yards on 20 punt returns, the most memorable a 65-yard scoring return on the final play of a come-from-behind 38-31 victory over the Giants on Dec. 19.

The win all but secured the NFC East title for Philadelphia, as New York was left out of the postseason.

The Eagles also announced that offensive tackle Winston Justice and defensive end Brandon Graham were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from knee injuries, and that wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and cornerback Asante Samuel had been excused from drills to attend to personal matters.

Philadelphia also signed seventh-round draft pick Greg Lloyd, a linebacker from Connecticut. Their lone unsigned draftee is first-rounder Danny Watkins, a guard from Baylor. The Eagles also signed rookie free agent Gerald Jones, a wide receiver from Tennessee.

But the theme of Day 1 at Lehigh was more about the players who were not there: Jackson and Kevin Kolb, the backup quarterback who was finally dealt to Arizona in a long-awaited deal.

Jackson’s absence wasn’t much of a surprise, either. Especially not after Michael Vick hinted this might be the case, when he first met the media in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

“DeSean just has some things to think about,” Vick said at the time, “and some decisions to make that only himself can make.”

Coach Andy Reid did not seem concerned over Jackson’s status during his first news conference Wednesday, and simply ran through his Thursday morning practice as a walkthrough. It was not open to the media or public.

Jackson was a key cog in the Eagles’ offensive resurgence last season, as the team went 10-6 and formed a new identity around Vick.

“I’m just being realistic about the situation,” Vick said. “It’s all in what DeSean wants.”

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.