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NEW YORK Michael Vick got the green light for full reinstatement in the NFL on Thursday when commissioner Roger Goodell said the disgraced quarterback could play later this month instead of waiting until October.
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 July20 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.
Goodell met with Vick earlier Thursday at the Eagles' hotel near Newark International Airport. Philadelphia played the Jets in an exhibition at the Meadowlands at night.
Vick was hardly dynamic in his first significant action in three years. He ran for a 2-yard touchdown, but was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted as the New York Jets beat the Eagles 38-27 on Thursday night.
He finished 7 for 11 for 26 yards
Elsewhere
TAMPA BAY: Former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski was fired as offensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, who have been unhappy with the progress of their passing game. Quarterbacks coach Greg Olson was promoted to Jagodzinski's role.
CLEVLAND: The Browns held quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson out against the Chicago Bears. Instead, they went with second-year pro Brett Ratliff.
DALLAS: Former Cowboys linebacker Eugene Lockhart was arrested after he was indicted with eight others in an alleged mortgage fraud scheme that swindled more than $20 million from several home lenders, federal officials said.
NO SALARY CAP in 2010? NFL commissioner Goodell foresees an uncapped 2010 season as the league and the players' union negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
Exhibitions
LIONS 17, BILLS 6: At Orchard Park, N.Y., Tristan Davis scored on a 79-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for Detroit (3-1). Detroit rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 draft pick out of Georgia, made his second start and finished 5 of 9 for 81 yards with two drive-killing turnovers – a fumble and interception. Rian Lindell made two field goals for Buffalo (1-4).
RAVENS 20, FALCONS 3: At Atlanta, John Beck was 16 of 28 for 232 yards and two touchdowns to help Baltimore finish the preseason 4-0.Atlanta (2-2) used its offensive starters for the opening drive.
Matt Ryan completed his first two passes before a sack forced a punt.
JAGUARS 24, REDSKINS 17: Washington's backups were no match for Jacksonville's starters.
Quarterback David Garrard led the host Jaguars to a touchdown and two field goals in four possessions, receiver Mike Sims-Walker looked sharp in his first action in nearly a month and Jacksonville took advantage of two early turnovers to beat the Redskins.
PATRIOTS 38, GIANTS 27: At Foxborough, Mass., Patriots rookie Brian Hoyer helped his chances to become Tom Brady's primary backup, throwing a scoring pass and leading three drives that BenJarvus Green-Ellis finished with rushing touchdowns.
Brady and nearly all of the usual starters sat out the exhibition finale for New England (3-1). Eli Manning played just one series for New York, and David Carr handled the next three for the Giants (1-3).
TITANS 27, PACKERS 13: Quarterback Vince Young ran for a touchdown and threw for another in his strongest performance this preseason, and the Titans (3-2) beat the Packers (3-1).
BENGALS 38, COLTS 7: The only question for the Bengals was whether the trainers would allow Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer to play despite a sprained left ankle.
Palmer dressed in his uniform for the game – a brace on his left ankle bulged from under his white sock – but didn't get in. As a result, he'll be heading into the season opener against Denver without much of a preseason.
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