Vick And Foles Neck And Neck – NFL Roundup For Aug. 16th

UNDATED (AP) — Michael Vick was nearly flawless, Nick Foles looked sharp and the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback competition remains close. Vick and Foles each led the Eagles to touchdown drives in a 14-9 victory over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

Vick, the four-time Pro Bowl pick, has the statistical edge over Foles, the second-year pro. But Coach Chip Kelly hasn't given any indication he's leaning toward one over the other.

In other NFL news:

— Tom Brady was back at practice wearing a knee brace one day after hurting his knee. The Patriots quarterback jogged from sideline to sideline with his teammates at the start of practice. Brady sprained his left knee about midway through Wednesday's practice. It isn't known if he'll play Friday night when New England and Tampa Bay meet in an exhibition game. The Patriots cut veteran wide receiver Michael Jenkins.

— A day after moving atop Pittsburgh's depth chart at running back, Steelers rookie Le'Veon Bell's status is in doubt for Monday night's preseason game against the Washington Redskins. Bell aggravated a left knee injury during a training camp practice Thursday.

— New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says veteran linebacker Jonathan Vilma has traveled to Philadelphia to have arthroscopic knee surgery. Vilma has had numerous surgeries on his left knee during the past two seasons, and there is no timetable for his return.

— Mark Sanchez has a chance to take the lead in the New York Jets' tightly contested quarterback competition. The team has announced that Sanchez will start over rookie Geno Smith for the preseason home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night.

__ Meanwhile, Jaguars coach Gus Bradley says Blaine Gabbert will get the start at quarterback for his team against the Jets. Gabbert is battling Chad Henne (HEN'-ee) for the starting job.

— Defensive end Antwan Applewhite has signed with the Miami Dolphins after he endured an injury-plagued 2012 season with the Carolina Panthers. Applewhite has appeared in 48 NFL games with the San Diego Chargers and Panthers, starting 17. He was slowed by knee and hamstring injuries last year and played in only five games.

UNDATED (AP)— The "final hurdle" to testing players for HGH this season apparently involves the NFL and union agreeing on whether Commissioner Roger Goodell (guh-DEHL') will hear appeals for violations other than a positive test. That's according to a person who works for the league.

The person sent an email Thursday to The Associated Press to update the status of negotiations between the league and the NFL Players Association. The league and union first paved the way for HGH testing in the 10-year collective bargaining agreement they signed in August 2011, but have been arguing over the fine print ever since.