Durango53
12-01-2003, 12:59 PM
HOUSTON -- Michael Vick made his long-delayed season debut for Atlanta on Sunday after missing 15 weeks because of a broken right leg suffered in the preseason.
Barring any setbacks in practice this week, Vick will start next week against the Carolina Panthers, ESPN has learned.
Even though he showed some rust in his first game of the season, Vick came off the bench late in the third quarter and directed the Atlanta Falcons to two field goals Sunday before the Texans held on for a 17-13 victory.
Vick, who broke his right leg in the preseason, returned to the field with 2:14 left in the third quarter and completed his first pass, a 9-yarder to Justin Griffith.
A few plays later, he took his first hard hit on a 2-yard sack and popped up unscathed.
"It felt good to take a couple of hits today," Vick said. "It puts me back on track and lets me know that my body's still able to absorb those hits. It gives me some confidence going into next week and for the rest of the year."
Doug Johnson, starting his eighth game for the Falcons, was just 12-of-27 for 116 yards and had a costly interception that allowed the Texans to take a 17-7 lead early in the third quarter.
Vick entered the game after linebacker Chris Draft intercepted a pass by David Carr at the Texans 33-yard line. Although the drive stopped at the Houston 17, Jay Feely kicked a 35-yard field goal, cutting Houston's lead to 17-10.
"He looked good, really good especially considering how long he's been out," wide receiver Peerless Price said. "He's pure excitement. He's excitement out there. His timing was good and he improvised and used his feet to make plays."
Vick, the top overall selection of the 2001 draft, was hurt in the second week of preseason on a tackle after one of his signature runs. The Falcons, who also have endured a rash of defensive injuries, struggled to a 2-9 record coming into Houston.
Vick was on schedule to start against the Texans, but had a setback 11 days ago when he turned his right ankle in practice.
A Pro Bowl selection in 2002, his first full season as a starter, Vick's 1,066 yards rushing are the most by an NFL quarterback in his first two seasons.
Coach Dan Reeves had no specific plan on when to bring Vick into the game.
"I just felt like we were struggling right at that point and he might give us a spark so I sent him in," Reeves said.
"Even though he did some good things, he hadn't played in a long time and obviously he was a little rusty. We got down there but just got a couple of sacks that put us back."
Texans cornerback Marcus Coleman said the defense was just waiting for Vick.
"Everybody knew he was coming in," Coleman said. "Then all of a sudden, the crowd got real excited. We knew we had to turn it up and we did."
Even though the Falcons lost, Vick took a big step in his return and even got cheers from the Reliant Stadium crowd when he entered the game for the first time.
"It was nice to know I have love and support all across the world, even in Houston," Vick said. "I take my hat off to them. It's exciting to me to know that people appreciate what I've been able to do."
Barring any setbacks in practice this week, Vick will start next week against the Carolina Panthers, ESPN has learned.
Even though he showed some rust in his first game of the season, Vick came off the bench late in the third quarter and directed the Atlanta Falcons to two field goals Sunday before the Texans held on for a 17-13 victory.
Vick, who broke his right leg in the preseason, returned to the field with 2:14 left in the third quarter and completed his first pass, a 9-yarder to Justin Griffith.
A few plays later, he took his first hard hit on a 2-yard sack and popped up unscathed.
"It felt good to take a couple of hits today," Vick said. "It puts me back on track and lets me know that my body's still able to absorb those hits. It gives me some confidence going into next week and for the rest of the year."
Doug Johnson, starting his eighth game for the Falcons, was just 12-of-27 for 116 yards and had a costly interception that allowed the Texans to take a 17-7 lead early in the third quarter.
Vick entered the game after linebacker Chris Draft intercepted a pass by David Carr at the Texans 33-yard line. Although the drive stopped at the Houston 17, Jay Feely kicked a 35-yard field goal, cutting Houston's lead to 17-10.
"He looked good, really good especially considering how long he's been out," wide receiver Peerless Price said. "He's pure excitement. He's excitement out there. His timing was good and he improvised and used his feet to make plays."
Vick, the top overall selection of the 2001 draft, was hurt in the second week of preseason on a tackle after one of his signature runs. The Falcons, who also have endured a rash of defensive injuries, struggled to a 2-9 record coming into Houston.
Vick was on schedule to start against the Texans, but had a setback 11 days ago when he turned his right ankle in practice.
A Pro Bowl selection in 2002, his first full season as a starter, Vick's 1,066 yards rushing are the most by an NFL quarterback in his first two seasons.
Coach Dan Reeves had no specific plan on when to bring Vick into the game.
"I just felt like we were struggling right at that point and he might give us a spark so I sent him in," Reeves said.
"Even though he did some good things, he hadn't played in a long time and obviously he was a little rusty. We got down there but just got a couple of sacks that put us back."
Texans cornerback Marcus Coleman said the defense was just waiting for Vick.
"Everybody knew he was coming in," Coleman said. "Then all of a sudden, the crowd got real excited. We knew we had to turn it up and we did."
Even though the Falcons lost, Vick took a big step in his return and even got cheers from the Reliant Stadium crowd when he entered the game for the first time.
"It was nice to know I have love and support all across the world, even in Houston," Vick said. "I take my hat off to them. It's exciting to me to know that people appreciate what I've been able to do."