Eagles Notebook: Mike Kafka out, Nick Foles in at No. 2

After the news of Brian Westbrook’s retirement broke, there was some serious football stuff to talk about. The Eagles wrapped up their final practice Tuesday before Thursday’s preseason finale. Here’s what we learned …

Andy Reid confirmed the worst-kept secret in the NFL, that Nick Foles is his backup quarterback — at least “right now.” The coach also confirmed that Mike Kafka, who is still listed No. 2 on the depth chart, will not play Thursday night.

Foles will start that game, with Trent Edwards playing the other three quarters. But don’t read too much into playing time. Reid re-iterated that Kafka is still in the mix for a roster spot.

“I’ve got enough time with [Kafka] to be able to make that evaluation,” Reid said. “The main thing for him right now is that it’s tender right now. He took some snaps [Monday] and he could feel them and it’s just best that we hold him out.”

Other players who won’t see action Thursday due to injury include: Nate Allen, Jason Babin, Riley Cooper and Casey Matthews. Reid also said no starters, including slot man Jason Avant, will play.

Vick to wear Kevlar vest

Starting quarterback Mike Vick will wear a new and improved protective vest made of Kevlar in the season opener. It’s reportedly not the same one he endorses.

“It’s a Kevlar vest, so it’s the latest, greatest. It’s supposedly the best,” Reid said of the new vest. “That’s what I can tell you. They’re not quite as cumbersome as the other ones and it’ll still protect you. He took a good shot. I mean, it wouldn’t have mattered what he had on. He took a pretty good shot right there.”

Babin ready for opener?

Injured sack specialist Jason Babin has been out virtually the entire preseason and training camp period with a strained calf muscle. The Eagles have taken a very cautious approach with Babin, and the veteran defensive end is still waiting for clearance from team doctors.

“It’s one of those things where I’m leaning on [athletic trainer] Rick Burkholder and [Andy] Reid to take, for lack of a better word, the restraints off,” Babin said. “You know me, I’m wide open 100 percent whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. In this situation, it’d be a bad thing to say two weeks ago, ‘I’m ready to go,’ because that’s just my mentality. They know how the time works out.”