ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reports that the Eagles expect NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to issue a ruling on Michael Vick's possible reinstatement from the league by Saturday's mandatory cutdown to a 53-man roster.
During a conference call to promote NBC's football coverage this season, analyst Tony Dungy told reporters that he expects NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to rule on Michael Vick's status "fairly soon."
The Super Bowl-winning head coach served as Vick's mentor to help him get signed by an NFL team. Vick spent 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting operation. He was conditionally reinstated by Goodell and was promptly signed on Aug. 13 by the Eagles. Under the terms of his conditional reinstatement, Vick was allowed to play in the final two preseason games. Vick will play tomorrow night when the Eagles close out the preseason against the Jets. However, Vick is not yet allowed to play in any regular season games.
Goodell visited with the Redskins in Landover, Md. on Tuesday and spoke with reporters regarding the impact of the economy on teams who may endure blackouts this season. During the media session, Goodell said that Vick was "making the right kind of progress" and expects to meet with him again soon.
"Tony Dungy's been incredibly helpful. Donovan McNabb's been helpful," Goodell told the Associated Press. "I talk to Michael on a weekly basis, if not more. I'll be meeting with him again sometime in the near future. ... He's focused on the right things."
Goodell previously said that he'll consider Vick for full reinstatement into the league by no later than Week 6 of the regular season. If there is no decision made before Saturday's deadline to get the rosters trimmed to 53, the Eagles can place him on an exempt list, but Vick would not be able to practice. The Eagles can place Vick on the 53-man roster, but he would take up a roster spot and not be able to play in games. Head coach Andy Reid seemed to indicate on Tuesday that he would want Vick to have the ability to practice.
"I would think it would be important for him to continue to practice, but I would have to see what the situation was," Reid said.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 3:02 p.m., September 2; Updated by Bob Kent at 5:52 p.m.
