Looks like the Michael Vick era could begin Week 3 when his suspension is up. Donovan McNabb left the game early with an apparent back injury.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has gone to the locker room with an injury suffered on a short touchdown run against the Carolina Panthers.

McNabb scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter to give the Eagles a 38-10 lead. He didn’t immediately get up after the touchdown, and was attended to by Eagles trainers before eventually leaving the field on his own.

Trainers seemed to be checking his lower back or ribs before he headed to the locker room.

This is still way to early to expect this is anything serious. The Eagles might have have been taking precaution since they were blowing out the Panthers. Jake Delhomme got benched after turning the ball over five times this afternoon.

Delhomme was taken out after a miserable performance Sunday brought his total turnovers to 11 in the past two meaningful games. McCown limped off with a left knee injury in the fourth quarter after he was sacked by Darren Howard.

Third-string quarterback Matt Moore entered the game with the Panthers trailing 38-10.

Featured Blogger: Scott Tunstall from Inside the Iggles

I’m opening myself up to severe criticism, but I don’t mind. Why any writer, reporter or blogger even bothers to forecast what the Eagles will do draft weekend is a mystery. It really is a futile task. Only a select few members of the front office hold the key to the Birds’ draft treasure chest. Andy Reid and his cohorts excel at keeping their cards close to their vests.

This simple fact won’t prevent countless pundits, experts and fans from donning their homemade GM caps and predicting how the chips may fall for our beloved Birds. Well, I’m wearing my homemade hat (it’s green, of course) and am fully prepared to tell everyone exactly what will occur this weekend. Along with a fellow Eagles pal, we have concocted a crazy draft day script that goes something like this:

Pick #21 – Knowshon Moreno is already gone. The Titans call Reid. They are in love with Connecticut cornerback Darius Butler. Not only is he a terrific playmaker in the secondary, but he’s also a great return man. The Titans need both. Jeff Fisher is afraid the Patriots might grab Butler at 23. Tennessee and Philly agree to a trade. The Birds get the #30 overall pick and the Titans’ second-round choice (#62), while Tennessee receives pick #21 and one of the Eagles fifth-round selections (#153).

Pick #30 – Eagles take Connecticut running back Donald Brown. The versatile, hard-working back fits the West Coast system perfectly. The Birds get their much-needed runner and an additional second rounder from the deal with the Titans.

Pick # 53 - Eagles take South Carolina tight end Jared Cook. The need for a big receiver will be offset by Cook’s arrival. Tall and fast, Cook is a legit downfield threat who will complement the steady Brent Celek extremely well.

Pick # 62 (from Tennessee) – Eagles take Vanderbilt cornerback D.J. Moore. Another corner was needed even prior to Sheldon Brown’s recent bellyaching. Moore has a knack for the big play and possesses the burst to run with speed receivers. He’s not big (5′9″, 185), but he supports the run well and has excellent ball skills.

Pick #85 – Eagles take Penn State wide receiver Derrick Williams. Williams brings versatility and toughness to the position. He can operate over the middle and stretch the field. His skills as a return man add value to this selection. With DeSean Jackson expected to adopt the #1 receiver role, Williams can step in immediately and take over punt return duties.

I’d go into the fifth and sixth rounds, but I have no idea who would be available. Although, an offensive tackle, safety and linebacker could very well come off the board.

As for me and my buddy’s wild prognostications, we both anticipate nothing remotely close will take place. Offense with three of the first four picks? No way Reid follows that path. At any rate, we had fun tossing around different projections. One did involve Darrius Heyward-Bey going at 21, which I’m sure would please the receiver-hungry portion of Eagles Nation. I just can’t see them taking a receiver high two straight years.

Running back:

Tight end: The Birds waved bye, bye to underachieving L.J. Smith, who signed with the Ravens. Smith showed flashes, but never lived up to his second-round status. Brent Celek has been elevated to starter based largely on his late season surge and spectacular playoff performances. Matt Schobel, for some strange reason, still has the third-string tight end job. Another vertical/red zone target is needed. It would be nice to have someone who is a good blocker, but the arrival of Peters, Stacy Andrews and Leonard Weaver offsets the necessity for a run-blocking tight end.

Cornerback: Most fans will cry wide receiver. Personally, I think what they have is enough. A big, physical red zone threat would be nice, but it’s not a must need. Another cornerback is more relevant at this time. Last year’s fourth-round selection, Jack Ikegwuonu, has yet to see the field due a knee injury suffered in January 2008. Relying on just him for depth would be foolish. In addition, the recent trade demands by Sheldon Brown could lead to a lengthy holdout, so the Birds would be wise to cover their backsides.

How will the Eagles address these needs? I’d like to believe Andy Reid will go running back in the opening round. Almost every mock draft has them picking Knowshon Moreno at 21. I think he’ll be gone by then, but if he isn’t, there is still no guarantee he’ll be the choice. It’s probably too early to grab Donald Brown, so backs like LeSean McCoy and Rashad Jennings might be targeted in round two. If they do take Brown at 21, look for a tight end to come off the board in either the second or third round. Jared Cook, Cornelius Ingram and Chase Coffman are names to remember. With no fourth round pick because of the Jason Peters trade, they could wait until the fifth round before taking a cornerback, but that seems risky. They own four picks in the fifth, so they could trade back into the fourth if they wanted. However, selecting a corner in one of the first three rounds is the safer bet. Guys like Mike Mickens, Sean Smith, Kevin Barnes and Bradley Fletcher are players they have shown interest in who should be available between rounds two through four.

One last point: I will not be be surprised one bit if a defensive player is taken at 21. They don’t really need one, but that won’t stop Reid from throwing everyone a curve.

Scott Tunstall – Inside the Iggles