Falcons’ Vick Is Still Doubtful

Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick skipped practice Wednesday and remained doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Vick sprained his right, nonthrowing shoulder in Atlanta’s 20-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Doug Johnson will make his first start this season if Vick is unable to play.

“We won’t rule him out,� Coach Dan Reeves said of Vick. “It’s just what the comfort level is as far as the pain is concerned.�

Vick was injured early in the third quarter against the Buccaneers. He was flushed out of the pocket by Warren Sapp and sacked by Simeon Rice, landing hard on his right shoulder.

“It’s still sore but it’s getting better,� Vick said. “I am getting as much treatment as I can--three times a day.�

*

Cleveland Brown linebacker Darren Hambrick practiced and is expected to play Sunday at Tampa Bay despite being charged with stealing a check for about $5,700 from the Carolina Panthers.

Hambrick is accused of stealing the money three weeks after joining the Panthers in October 2001 according to court records.

He flew to Florida on Monday and surrendered to authorities, who had issued an arrest warrant for the fifth-year linebacker in August, just days before he signed with the Browns. He was released on $10,000 bail.

Hambrick, 27, was issued a payroll check from the Panthers on Nov. 11, but then asked the team to stop payment because he never received it, records said.

Another check for the same amount was sent to Hambrick, and on Jan. 29 a man who identified himself as Hambrick cashed both checks at a Bank of America branch in Dade City, Fla., according to the records.

A bank representative told a detective she contacted Hambrick and asked him to return the $5,682.51, but he refused, the records said.

*

Baltimore Raven middle linebacker Ray Lewis sat out practice because of a sore shoulder and was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.

Lewis partially dislocated his left shoulder Sunday night against Cleveland.

*

Tennessee Titan end Carlos Hall sat out practice and Coach Jeff Fisher said the rookie might need surgery on his right knee as soon as today.

The Titans had hoped Hall could practice and play through torn cartilage in the knee, at least until end Jevon Kearse returns from a broken foot. But Hall, who has four sacks as Kearse’s replacement, hurt too much to practice.

Kearse might not return until Nov. 3.

*

Linebacker Mike Jones was re-signed by the Oakland Raiders, who cut him last month.

Jones, who made the game-saving tackle in St. Louis’ Super Bowl victory over Tennessee in January 2000 will play Sunday against St. Louis if rookie Napoleon Harris is unable to play because of a shoulder injury.