By Friday, Michael Vick could be the last one standing.
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback’s remaining two co-defendants have set court dates for this week to change their pleas to guilty in federal conspiracy charges related to dogfighting.
Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday morning before District Judge Henry E. Hudson in Richmond, Va. Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, is scheduled to enter his plea Friday morning.
The hearings come about two weeks after another one of Vick’s co-defendants, Tony Taylor, entered a guilty plea before the same judge, and pointed to Vick as the person who bankrolled the operation.
If the judge accepts pleas from Peace and Phillips, Vick will be the only defendant left facing trial in the case. Last month, all four pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture.
If convicted, Vick faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.
Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond law professor, said new guilty pleas from Vick’s other co-defendants could put the NFL star in a tough position.
“I think it’s not good for him because it means the government will have the cooperation of his co-defendants in trial when it happens,” Tobias said.
Vick’s trial date has been set for Nov. 26.
Chiefs: Running back Larry Johnson was closing in on a contract extension that could have him back in action for the team’s Aug. 23 preseason game against the New Orleans Saints, according to The Kansas City Star.
Meanwhile, Arena Football League receiver Bobby Sippio agreed to terms on a two-year contract. In his most recent AFL season, Sippio had 163 catches for 2,391 yards and 70 touchdowns with the Chicago Rush.
Raiders: Coach Lane Kiffin was hospitalized with a viral infection and might not return to the team until later this week.
Kiffin, 32, had been sick for a few days. He led the Raiders to a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday in his first game as an NFL head coach and looked fine after the game but continued to feel ill. On Sunday, Oakland canceled a scheduled conference call between Kiffin and reporters.
Falcons: Running back Warrick Dunn returned to practice for the first time since undergoing back surgery last month.
“You have to get out there, run around, get hit, run back to the huddle and run a play again,” Dunn said. “I can usually go a whole series or a drive and really not get tired, but right now, I can’t run any plays without being exhausted.”
Dunn, whose 9,461 career yards rank third among active players, hopes to return for Atlanta’s preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 27.
Jets: Running back Thomas Jones has a strained right calf muscle and hopes to return in time for the team’s season opener, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.
“He had an MRI on the right calf, and it was determined that he has what is essentially a strain of the calf muscle,” Rosenhaus said. “He said the doctor was vague in terms of how much time he would miss, but it would probably be a week-to-week injury.”
Colts: Safety Bob Sanders, who hasn’t been in pads since having shoulder surgery four months ago, said he thinks he will practice Wednesday.
Panthers: Offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker, who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason after missing last season’s final 13 games because of a knee injury, signed a one-year contract.
Jaguars: Free-agent safety Sammy Knight signed a one- year, $820,000 contract, while safety Kevin McCadam was released.
Cardinals: Offensive right tackle Oliver Ross and outside linebacker Chike Okeafor were hurt in Saturday’s preseason opener at Oakland, and both might require surgery. Ross has a torn triceps tendon and Okeafor a torn biceps tendon.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Levi Brown, the No. 5 pick overall in this year’s draft, would move into Ross’ spot, with Darryl Blackstock and Calvin Pace competing for Okeafor’s job.
