Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson is in the hospital with viral pneumonia and won't be playing Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said in quotes provided by the team Friday that Patterson's illness has nothing to do with his offseason brain surgery. Patterson had an operation to correct an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that caused him to suffer a seizure in training camp in 2011.
Patterson missed all of training camp and the first eight games this season while recovering from the surgery before making his debut at New Orleans on Nov. 5.
In five games, the 29-year-old registered nine tackles and a sack. He was reunited this week with defensive line coach Tommy Brasher, who coached Patterson during his rookie season in 2005. Brasher was hired to rejoin the Eagles after coach Andy Reid fired Jim Washburn on Monday.
Burkholder also said that both quarterback Michael Vick and running back LeSean McCoy are making progress after suffering concussions, but are still not ready to play again. They both flew to Pittsburgh earlier this week to visit with concussion specialists as a precaution.
Safety Kurt Coleman (chest contusion) also did not practice Friday and won't play against the Buccaneers. Colt Anderson will start at free safety.
