Vick faces surgery, will miss 6 weeks

ATLANTA -- Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick fractured his right fibula Saturday night during an exhibition game against Baltimore, and team owner Arthur Blank said the quarterback will be sidelined at least six weeks.

Blank said Vick wouldn't have surgery. If he's out six weeks, he'll miss the first four games of the regular season, and would return Oct. 5 against Minnesota.

"We are just going to have to wait and see," Atlanta coach Dan Reeves said. "It's a tough break for us."

Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb had a similar injury last year and was out two months.

"I am terribly disappointed," Vick said in a statement. "But this is the ultimate team sport and we will have to keep playing. I have confidence that these guys and coaches can get it done."

Vick was chased out of the pocket on a third-down play late in the first quarter and was tackled by Adalius Thomas. Vick fell awkwardly on his right leg and grabbed it even before he hit the ground.

Thomas, after briefly celebrating the tackle, went back to check on Vick and several of Vick's teammates knelt beside him. When it was apparent he was hurt, a hush came over the crowd at the Georgia Dome.

After he was examined by the Falcons' medical staff, Vick got up with some help and limped a few steps to a cart. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he was driven to the locker room.

"That hurts our league and the Falcons, and I feel for him," Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said. "He's my friend, and he'll be back. I'll call him and give him encouragement."

Vick got off to a rough start against the Ravens, getting sacked on the first play and throwing an interception on the next one. He finished 0-for-4, and rushed for 8 yards.

"I think that whole half was frustrating and what happened to Mike really topped it off," Atlanta receiver Peerless Price said. "We didn't do anything right and then we lose our man."

Last season, Vick made the Pro Bowl in his first full season as a starter and set three NFL records for rushing by a quarterback.