<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Vick questionable for Bills game with hamstring injury</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By CHARLES ODUM, AP Sports Writer
September 21, 2005
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) --
Michael Vick was held out of practice Wednesday with a sore left hamstring, but the Atlanta quarterback said he may play Sunday at Buffalo even if he can't practice the rest of the week.
``As long as I'm getting mental reps, I think I'll be able to go out there and execute the game plan,'' Vick said. ``It's possible I may not practice all week. Who knows? I'm just playing it by ear right now. I just have to be able to be me.''
Second-year quarterback
Matt Schaub, who made one start last season, ran the first-team offense Wednesday.
Vick did some light running on the side but did not try to test the hamstring.
``We're not trying to rush it,'' he said. ``It's too early in the week.''
Vick had to slow down at the end of a 32-yard run in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's loss at Seattle when his hamstring began hurting. After Schaub finished off a touchdown drive, Vick tried to play in the Falcons' final possession but again had to leave the game.
Though he acknowledged that hamstring injuries are ``tricky, tricky deals,'' Falcons coach Jim Mora said he wouldn't hold Vick back if Vick wants to practice Thursday.
Vick passed for only 123 yards, completing 11 of 19 passes, in the 21-18 loss to Seattle. In two games he has thrown for 279 yards with one touchdown and one interception and has rushed for 111 yards with a touchdown.
Vick's value to the Falcons (1-1) is obvious. They are 24-13-1 record in regular-season games he has started and he led the team to last season's NFC Championship gam but 9-19 in games he hasn't started during his five-year career.
The danger is that Vick could hurt the hamstring more severely by playing this week.
``I'm probably going to make the final decision,'' Vick said. ``I'm the only one who knows how bad I'm hurting and what I can do and what I can't do.''
His status may not be determined until pregame warmups Sunday.
``I've got to be able to move around,'' he said. ``It's a big part of my game and a big part of our package and what we do.''
Schaub completed 36 of 70 passes for 362 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the preseason. He said that experience and the chance to work with the No. 1 offense Wednesday would help him feel comfortable if he starts Sunday.
Ty Detmer, a 14-year pro, is the third-team quarterback although his role is as much as a coach as a player.
No matter who starts, the Falcons can be expected to lean heavily on running backs
Warrick Dunn and
T.J. Duckett. The Bills allowed 191 yards rushing, including 128 yards to Carnell ``Cadillac'' Williams, in last week's 19-3 loss to Tampa Bay.
``We're not going to change if we have to go with Matt,'' Mora said. ``We have tremendous confidence in Matt. We like the guy and he can win for us as a quarterback.''
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