Knight Ridder/Tribune
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons' worst fears came true Saturday night.
Quarterback Michael Vick, the team's most dominant player and a likely MVP candidate, fractured the fibula in his right leg in the first quarter of the Falcons' preseason game with Baltimore.
On 3rd-and-6 from his own 5-yard line, Vick scrambled out of the pocket and was collared by Baltimore defensive end Adalius Thomas after a gain of four yards. Vick fell awkwardly on his right leg and reached for his ankle as soon as he hit the turf.
Trainers quickly rushed out, and minutes later carted a visibly pained Vick off the field with 4:20 remaining in the first quarter. Vick missed time during his sophomore - and final season at Virginia Tech with a right ankle injury.
He was 0-for-4 passing with an interception and two rushes for eight yards in the game. Doug Johnson replaced Vick and will be the team's starter until Vick returns. Johnson started one game in place of an injured Vick last season and led the Falcons to a victory on the road against the Giants.
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"This is the ultimate team sport and we will have to keep playing," Vick said. "I have confidence that these guys and these coaches can get it done."
Vick, the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, had a breakout season last year - his first as a starter. In 15 games, Vick, a left-hander out of Virginia Tech, completed 231-of-421 passes (54.9 percent) for 2,936 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He also rushed for 777 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 rushes. His 6.9 yards per carry was the highest average in the NFL last season.
He also led the Falcons to a playoff victory in Green Bay, the first-ever win for a visitor at the Packers' historic Lambeau Field.
His impact was felt off the field as well, where his No. 7 became the league's top-selling jersey.
"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.''
The electric Vick, who led Virginia Tech to the national championship game as a redshirt freshman, awakened the morbid Falcons franchise. After years of playing to a half-empty stadium, the Falcons sold out all eight home games last year and sold every ticket for this year's home schedule in less than 30 minutes.
"Mike is an exceptional talent and we hate to lose him. There are a lot of people out there who say he is our whole team," defensive end Patrick Kearney said. "Now we have to go out there and prove those people wrong. We definitely wish him the best on a fast recovery and hope he comes back as soon as possible."
