Vick Almost Ready to Make His Return

Michael Vick practiced Wednesday with the first-team offense and indicated he might be the Atlanta Falcons’ No. 2 quarterback this Sunday at Houston.

“I felt real good,” Vick said. “The object was to come out here, test it, do some things on it and see how it held up, and I did a pretty good job today. I’m not sore, so we’ll see how tomorrow goes.”

Regardless of Vick’s progress the rest of the week, Doug Johnson will start against the Texans. But Coach Dan Reeves couldn’t hide his enthusiasm after watching Vick.

“He just has a unique ability to throw the football,” Reeves said. “Is he going to be where he needs to be? He’s a long way from that, but certainly throwing in practice and getting closer to full speed is going to get him closer to where he needs to be.”

Vick has been sidelined since breaking his right leg in an Aug. 16 exhibition game.

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Indianapolis Colt quarterback Peyton Manning felt a twinge in his right elbow during practice and had an MRI exam later in the day. Results of the test were not released.

Manning limited his workout to protect his throwing arm, but Coach Tony Dungy said he did not believe Manning would have to sit out Sunday’s game against New England.

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Oakland safety Rod Woodson was put on injured reserve because of a knee injury, becoming the 11th Raider player lost for the season and fifth in nine days.

Woodson had been playing despite a sore left knee after having minor surgery Sept. 9 to repair a meniscus tear sustained during training camp.

Last week, defensive ends Trace Armstrong and Sam Williams, linebacker Travian Smith and running back Justin Fargas were put on injured reserve.

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Running back Lamar Smith signed with the New Orleans Saints as a backup to Deuce McAllister. Smith will replace Ki-Jana Carter on the roster. Carter is scheduled for surgery on his left toe and will be put on injured reserve.

Smith went to Green Bay’s training camp this season and was cut after being injured. He spent 2002 with Carolina and was released three months after being put on paid leave following a drunken-driving arrest. He played for the Saints in 1998 and 1999.

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The Cleveland Browns put fullback R.J. Bowers on injured reserve because of an ankle injury and signed free-agent linebacker Orantes Grant.... Receiver Tim Dwight was put on the injured reserve list by the San Diego Chargers, his season ended by a partially collapsed lung.... Quarterback Chris Chandler’s right shoulder was still stiff and sore, forcing him to skip the Chicago Bears’ practice drills and making him questionable for Sunday’s game with Arizona..