NFL Reeves wants Vick to return to play

But the injured quarterback is not coming back until he feels he is ready.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Dan Reeves and Michael Vick might need to get a third opinion about Vick's ailing right leg.
Revealing a growing schism over the slow pace of Vick's recovery, the Atlanta Falcons' coach challenged his best player and quarterback to return to the field -- before the season is a total loss.
"Mike needs to get back as soon as he possibly can," Reeves said Wednesday. "He talks about how he shouldn't come back, but I think he realizes, too, that you've got a small window of opportunity, and he's not getting better sitting on the sidelines."
Vick said he can't do the slumping Falcons (1-6) any good if he's not healthy. And he doesn't intend to return until he's fully recovered from a broken right leg.
"He's saying I need to get out there and practice, but I'm not going to jeopardize myself," Vick said. "I can't do it. I'm not going to go out there and put my team in a worse situation. Believe me, I want to play."
Season debut
In the first firm timetable on his return, Vick said he's aiming to make his season debut Dec. 7 against Carolina -- much longer than the projected recovery period.
"I thought I would be back a little earlier," he conceded. "But I don't have any control over the way my body feels."
Reeves obviously feels different. The embattled coach gave a totally unsolicited assessment of Vick's recovery after being asked a general question about how the Falcons are holding up during a six-game losing streak.
The coach's message to Vick was clear: We need you.
A Pro Bowl selection in his first season as a starter, Vick broke his right fibula in an Aug. 16 exhibition game. At the time, doctors projected the recovery time at six to 10 weeks.
Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb returned from a similar injury in a day short of eight weeks -- coincidentally, in time to lead the Eagles to a playoff victory over Vick and the Falcons last January.
If Vick doesn't play until Dec. 7, his rehab will have lasted 16 weeks.
Kittner probable starter
Second-stringer Doug Johnson started the first six games, but he was benched after throwing 10 interceptions. Third-stringer Kurt Kittner started the last game, a 45-17 loss to New Orleans, and apparently will start again Sunday against Philadelphia.
As for Vick, Reeves said, "If he's going to be better, it's going to be getting in ball games and not watching Kurt and Doug playing."
Vick flatly rejected any suggestion he's delaying his comeback because the Falcons' season already appears hopeless. He said the team's record is irrelevant, but he's got to protect his future.
"The opponents don't care about you," Vick said. "I have to care about me. This is my livelihood. I want to play for a long time."