Michael Vick received full reinstatement in the NFL when commissioner Roger Goodell said on Thursday the disgraced quarterback could play this month instead of waiting until next month.
Vick, recently signed by the Philadelphia Eagles, will be able to play in the Sept. 27 game at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. It would be his first regular-season game since he was sent to prison for his role in operating a dogfighting ring. The former Atlanta Falcons star was released from federal custody on July 20 after serving 18 months of a 23-month sentence.
Originally, Goodell said he would consider Vick for reinstatement no later than the sixth week of the season — Oct. 18.
PHOTO: EPA
“I think he’s making real progress,” Goodell said at a news conference. “I think he has a better feel for the challenges ahead of him. He understands he has very little margin for error, that people are watching him.”
Goodell met with Vick before Thursday’s preseason game in which Philadelphia lost to the New York Jets 38-27.
Vick ran for a 2-yard touchdown, but was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted.
Vick was in and out of the lineup in the opening half, and was booed each time he ran onto the field. He lined up at quarterback and wide receiver at times, and scored his first NFL touchdown since 2006 to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Vick lined up at quarterback, faked a handoff and ran up the middle from 2 yards out.
“He met with Michael this morning and I think he came out of it feeling very confident that Michael’s doing the right things and is on the right track,” Eagles president Joe Banner said.
A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Falcons, Vick was a surprise signing by the Eagles on Aug. 13. He received a one-year deal for US$1.6 million with a team option for a second year at US$5.2 million. The Eagles plan to use Vick in their version of the wildcat offense, and Reid has stated that Kevin Kolb remains the backup to Donovan McNabb.
He played six snaps in Philadelphia’s home game against Jacksonville last week, lining up at quarterback and receiver.
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