updated 6:05 p.m. ET Oct. 12, 2005

SAN ANTONIO - Michael Vick said he expects to play Sunday against New Orleans after his sprained right knee held up in Wednesday’s practice.

“I heal pretty fast,” said the Falcons’ quarterback, who missed last week’s game against New England.

“Yes, I think I will be playing on Sunday. I have to continue to treat my knee and make sure that it is nice and sturdy when I get out there.”

Vick was held out of last week’s 31-28 loss even though he was only downgraded to questionable on the injury report the day before the game. He suffered the injury on Oct. 2 against Minnesota.

Though second-year backup Matt Schaub threw three touchdown passes with no interceptions against the Patriots, the Falcons continue to lean on Vick for wins. Coach Jim Mora said he was anxious for Vick’s return.

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“I’ve only been here for three games that he hasn’t started, and we’re 0-3 in them,” Mora said.

Vick ranks fourth among active quarterbacks in regular-season winning percentage. In Vick’s starts, the Falcons are 26-13-1 in regular-season games. It is the best winning percentage of Atlanta quarterbacks with 20 or more starts.

“Maybe it’s just a juice or an energy,” Mora said. “All great performers have that. They lift the people around them up.”

Mora stopped short of declaring Vick the starter for Sunday’s game.

“Mike did more today than he did at any time last week,” Mora said. “We’re hopeful that by the end of the week we’ll be able to upgrade him and he can play this week, but we’ll see.”

Vick said he will push his knee more Thursday.

Schaub, who was 18 of 34 passing for 298 yards against New England, said he will continue to prepare to start.

Vick missed 11 games in 2003 with a broken leg. He said that experience has helped guide him during this recovery.

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“I think experiencing that two years ago really helped me as far as knowing how fast I can recover,” he said. “Getting a little bit of work last week, and just moving around, that told me I wasn’t going to be able to go out there and do what I’m capable of doing.”

Based on Wednesday’s practice, he said “I feel good, a lot better than last week.”

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