Michael Vick Update

[Walter Cronkite]

Michael Vick, who yesterday predicted that he'd back back on Dec. 7, today moved up his probable return date to Nov. 30. Vick still hasn't resumed running on his broken fibula, but he expects to return to practice in a couple of weeks.

[Walter Cronkite]

The Falcons have not yet determined whether Michael Vick will begin practicing next week. Vick stated earlier that his goal was to begin practice next week but the decision will come after Sunday's game (November 9th).

Source: Fox

[Walter Cronkite]

Falcons' Vick set to return...to practice

Michael Vick is back, at least for practice. The Pro Bowl quarterback was set for practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking his right leg in a preseason game, a major step in the recovery process.

"I can't wait," Vick said after a morning walkthrough at the Atlanta Falcons' training complex.

Neither can the Falcons (2-7), who have endured a miserable season without one of the league's most exciting players. Atlanta had lost seven in a row before beating the New York Giants 27-7 last weekend.

"It's good to see him out there with the helmet on," said Kurt Kittner, who will make his fourth -- and possibly -- final start at New Orleans on Sunday. "Mike's a great player. He does a lot of things that no one in the league can do. It'll be exciting to have him back."

There's even a chance that Vick will dress for the Saints game, though he's unlikely to play. If all goes well, he could make his first start of the season against Tennessee the following week.

Vick broke his right fibula in an Aug. 16 exhibition game against the Ravens. Initially, the prognosis called for him to return within six to 10 weeks, but the rehab dragged on longer than expected.

Vick was voted to the Pro Bowl in his first season as a starter. He set several NFL records for yards rushing by a quarterback and guided the Falcons to the second round of the playoffs.

Source: espn

[Walter Cronkite]

Nov 14 2003

Nov 14 2003 - Michael Vick said he's experienced less soreness than he expected in his right ankle since returning to practice. He will play this season in pain, but they don't expect it to get worse. He will continue working only with the scout team this week.

source: fox

[Walter Cronkite]

Michael Vick had a setback Wednesday in his attempt to return to the lineup this weekend.

An Atlanta Falcons teammate stepped on the quarterback's right ankle in a walkthrough. Vick, out since fracturing his right leg in a preseason game Aug. 16, was unable to participate in team drills during the two-hour afternoon practice.

According to team orthopedist Andrew Bishop and trainer Ron Medlin, Vick did not sustain further damage to his right foot. They added that Vick rolled his ankle after taking a snap and trying to step to his right as his foot was caught.

Vick worked with the scout team for three days last week and hoped to take some snaps this week with the first-team offense.

"Yeah, it is a setback," Vick said. "I didn't think something like this would happen, but it swelled up on me and I just had to take it light today. I'll see how it feels in the morning and I'll know if I can practice tomorrow."

The Falcons (2-8) have lost eight of their last nine. They play Sunday against Tennessee (8-2).

Coach Dan Reeves selected Doug Johnson to replace Kurt Kittner as the starting quarterback. Johnson and Kittner have combined for 16 interceptions, tied with Detroit for most in the NFL.

Vick declined to say who stepped on his foot, though he acknowledged the injury occurred as he worked with the scout team. Walkthroughs are closed to reporters.

"All I know is I caught it up in there pretty good," Vick said. ``It was my first bit of contact, and I didn't anticipate my first piece of contact on it. It happened early, and it wasn't a good feeling. So I can imagine what it's going to feel like if I take a hit on it."

Vick did some light throwing to receivers, but didn't wear a helmet or shoulder pads. He stood and watched practice.

Vick, 23, led the Falcons to the second round of the playoffs last year, when he set four NFL records for rushing by a quarterback and was chosen for the Pro Bowl.

Source: AP

[Walter Cronkite]

Vick Misses Practice, Probably Will Miss Titans Game

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick missed practice Thursday and indicated he won't play against the Titans this weekend.

Vick sprained his right ankle in a morning walkthrough Wednesday, when guard Martin Bibla accidentally stepped on his foot. Vick hasn't played in a game since breaking his leg in the preseason.

"I wanted to come out and try and play this week, get a couple of snaps," Vick said. "But what happened yesterday was something that we all didn't expect. I got a little taste of what it's like to get it touched, and that's a good thing. Now I know. We'll just see how it plays out."

Vick refused to offer details of how he was hurt, but linebacker Keith Brooking acknowledged that he was blitzing and accidentally pushed Bibla backward. Vick and Bibla were working with the scout team, and Brooking with the first-team defense.

"I can't help it. That's just the way it goes, man," Brooking said.

Added Bibla, "Nobody's going full-tilt, but Keith goes a little harder than usual sometimes. That's just Keith, though."

The Falcons (2-8) have lost eight of their last nine as they prepare to host the Titans (8-2). Doug Johnson will start at quarterback for Atlanta.

If anything good came from his latest setback, Vick learned a hard lesson regarding his ankle brace. He practiced last week with a brace on his ankle, which was taped, but he didn't wear one for walkthroughs.

He will from now on.

"It was a little scary, but it was something that I think I needed," Vick said.

In his first full season as a starter last year, Vick led the Falcons to a 10-7-1 record and the second round of the NFC playoffs. He was the No. 1 overall draft choice in 2001 and set four league records for rushing by a quarterback in 2002.

Vick wants to play Nov. 30 at Houston if his ankle will let him, but his debut could get pushed back to the Dec. 7 home game with Carolina. He practiced last week for the first time this season.

"If it's something that happens in a walkthrough and it's that tender and he has a setback to where he can't practice, that's a pretty good sign that he probably needs to rest it a little bit longer," Brooking said.

Source: AP

[Walter Cronkite]

Nov 28 2003

Nov 28 2003 - Michael Vick showed increased mobility and should be the back up quarterback for the Falcons this week. Mentioned this yesterday, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Vick get into a series or two at the end of the Falcons game.