Michael Vick was held out of practice Wednesday with a sore left hamstring, but the Atlanta Falcons quarterback said he might play Sunday at Buffalo even if he can’t practice the rest of the week.
“As long as I’m getting mental reps, I think I’ll be able to go out there and execute the game plan,” Vick said. “It’s possible I may not practice all week. Who knows? I’m just playing it by ear right now. I just have to be able to be me.”
Second-year quarterback Matt Schaub, who made one start last season, ran the first-team offense.
Vick did some light running on the side but did not try to test the hamstring.
“We’re not trying to rush it,” he said. “It’s too early in the week.”
Eagles: Quarterback Donovan McNabb (groin) and receiver Terrell Owens (abdomen, groin) missed practice with injuries, but it’s unlikely either player won’t play in Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
Texans: The team canceled practice for today and asked all players to leave town immediately as Hurricane Rita barreled toward the Texas coast with 165 mph winds. Coach Dom Capers said the team, which has a bye this week, was looking at alternatives that include practicing next week in Cincinnati before the Texans’ game Oct. 2 against the Bengals.
Capers also replaced cornerback Phillip Buchanon and linebacker Jason Babin with Demarcus Faggins and Shantee Orr.
Jaguars: Quarterback Byron Leftwich missed practice with a sore groin and was listed as questionable on the injury report.
Packers: Tight end Bubba Franks, who has not missed a game since former general manager Ron Wolf made him his top pick out of Miami in the 2000 draft, has a bruised left knee that could keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chargers: Left guard Toniu Fonoti had a plate surgically inserted in his broken right hand and it’s doubtful he will play Sunday night against the New York Giants.
Panthers: A doctor who was accused in a television report of writing illegal steroid prescriptions for three former Carolina players, including Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun, has been indicted on federal charges.
James M. Shortt was charged with 29 counts of distributing steroids and human growth hormones as well as a conspiracy charge, U.S. Attorney Johnny Gasser said. The indictment did not specify who received the drugs. A CBS News report in March identified center Jeff Mitchell, tackle Todd Steussie and Sauerbrun as having filled steroid prescriptions written by Shortt. Several other former Panthers also have been named as Shortt’s patients in subsequent media reports.
Meanwhile, safety Mike Minter missed practice with a strained calf that could end his streak of playing in 64 consecutive regular-season games.
Vikings: Minnesota likely will be without two starters for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, wide receiver Nate Burleson (knee) and linebacker E.J. Henderson (ankle).
Titans: Rookie safety Vincent Fuller will miss Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams after undergoing surgery and having a plate inserted into his broken right fibula.
Coach Jeff Fisher said defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (left knee) and linebacker Peter Sirmon (left knee) are day to day. Both had MRIs, along with receiver Courtney Roby (left toe), who missed practice and wore a walking boot on his foot. Fisher wouldn’t divulge results on the players’ tests.
Browns: Quarterback Doug Johnson was released, while rookie quarterback Derek Anderson was claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Ravens.
Bills: Safety Lawyer Milloy had surgery on his injured right thumb, and is questionable for Sunday’s game against Atlanta.
In Super Stats: Standings, injury report. 7D
