A federal appeals court is backing the judge who ruled against the NFL and let quarterback Michael Vick keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons.

He’s out of prison, back in the NFL, and now Michael Vick is going to star in his own television series.

Nike says it does not have a “contractual relationship” with Michael Vick, a day after the quarterback’s agent announced a deal with the manufacturer.

On Sunday, Michael Vick returned to regular season play in the NFL. He saw some action in a game in which the Philadelphia Eagles really did not need him. The atmosphere surrounding the story resembled that of the circus, which does not surprise. We are what we are. As an editorial in The New York Times reports, one vendor is marketing Vick jerseys for dogs; an animal rescue group is offering dog food donations for every sack of Vick. Send in the clowns.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Michael Vick’s return to the NFL was ordinary at best. The moments before it happened though, lifted his heart and made his day.

PHILADELPHIA—Superman. The Wildcat Originator. Michael Vick has the nicknames ready. All he needs is a chance to play. After spending 18 months in federal prison and sitting out the first two games as the final league penalty for his role in a dogfighting ring, Vick is eligible to play his first regular-season game in 33 months when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

New England quarterback Tom Brady missed last season after suffering a knee injury in the opener. The Boss is back. Time for the Patriots—and the NFL—to rock again. Tom Brady, the NFL’s version of Springsteen/Bono/Petty, is throwing passes and avoiding paparazzi, and pro football is the better for it. This guy is no halftime act at the Super Bowl. He’s the reason New England again is favored to play in the big game.

As if Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis hasn’t been reminded enough, a billboard a half mile from his office provided another indication of his on-the-hot-seat status. It reads: “Best wishes to Charlie Weis in the 5th year of his college coaching internship.—Linebacker Alumni.“ “Everything was great until the last word,“ Weis said, laughing with reporters. “So tell them, ‘Thanks a lot for wishing me best wishes.‘“

NEW YORK—NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is eligible to play beginning in the third game of the regular season. Goodell met with Vick for 45 minutes yesterday before announcing his decision. Vick, recently signed by the Eagles, played in last week’s exhibition game and was expected to play against the New York Jets last night.

NEW YORK (AP)—NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is eligible to play beginning in the third game of the regular season.

PHILADELPHIA—The Michael Vick experiment lasted six plays before Donovan McNabb walked over to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on the sideline and yelled “Cut!“ Like a movie director who’s seen enough, McNabb wanted the offense to do another take. This time, without Vick. In his first preseason action with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Vick did a little bit of everything—except help the offense score a touchdown. Playing his first NFL game since his release from prison, Vick lined up at quarterback, wide receiver and ran the wildcat formation. He completed four passes for 19 yards and ran once for a yard in his first action in 32 months.

One Eagles fan shared his thoughts about QB Michael Vick last night. Vick says he has regained “about 70 percent” of his pre-prison conditioning. PHILADELPHIA—The Michael Vick experiment lasted six plays before Donovan McNabb walked over to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on the sideline and yelled “Cut!“ Like a movie director who’s seen enough, McNabb wanted the offense to do another take. This time, without Vick.

Michael Vick runs onto the field before the Eagles’ preseason game against the Jaguars in Philadelphia. Vick is allowed to keep a house in Virginia, a luxury sport utility vehicle and other possessions. PHILADELPHIA—Michael Vick zipped a few passes, ran around a bit and even lined up at wide receiver. In his first action in nearly 32 months, Vick has a new role: do-it-all quarterback.

Michael Vick will start his day in bankruptcy court and end it on a football field. All day, all eyes will be on No. 7. Vick, a former Virginia Tech star, is scheduled to play his first NFL game since his release from prison when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason matchup tonight. It’ll be Vick’s first official appearance in a game since Dec. 31, 2006, with the Atlanta Falcons. He also played that one at Lincoln Financial Field against the Eagles.

“I can only go off what I’ve seen in practice and it looks like he’s moving around pretty good,“ Eagles coach Andy Reid said.