BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick sprained his
right ankle late in the first half Saturday against Pittsburgh, leaving his
status for Saturday's showdown against No. 4 Miami questionable.
Vick, one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy, dropped back to
pass on third-and-goal from the 15 and was sacked in a pile of bodies,
appearing to twist his leg.
"He kind of got it rolled up between a few people," Hokies trainer Mike
Goforth said.
X-rays showed nothing was broken, but Vick will be reevaluated Sunday
afternoon, after the swelling has gone down.
"We don't think it's that severe," Goforth said, terming Vick's status as
day-to-day pending the evaluation and the start of treatment.
"I'll do anything in my power not to miss it," Vick said of the game
against the Hurricanes, which likely will eliminate the loser from the national
championship picture. "We'll see what happens after a few days."
Vick didn't return to the sidelines until about five minutes into the third
quarter and watched the rest of the game from the sideline on crutches, his
right foot and lower right leg wrapped in a brace.
Goforth said Vick would remain in the booted brace overnight and receive
electrical stimulation before being reevaluated.
Vick was hurt when hit by the Panthers' Gerald Hayes and Ryan Smith, among
others, in a crowd. Vick remained on the ground for several minutes before
being carried off, his feet prevented from touching the ground.
The play came one series after Vick was helped off after being walloped by
linebacker Brandon Williams on an incomplete pass. Vick walked off then and
returned after having a laceration on his left shin bandaged.
Carter Warley kicked a 38-yard field goal on the play after Vick left for
the second time to make it 20-20 at halftime, and Hokies backup quarterback
Dave Meyer engineered a 74-yard drive on Virginia Tech's final possession
before Warley won it, 37-34, with a 27-yard field goal.
"It hurts to be on the sidelines, especially when you're used to being out
there playing," Vick said. "But I couldn't even put pressure on it."
Vick finished 8-of-15 for 80 yards with one interception. He ran 10 times
for 34 yards and was sacked three times.
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