The indictment of Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on conspiracy to sponsor federally outlawed dog fighting Tuesday has left the franchise in an unsettled state eight days before the start of training camp.

There are questions of Vick's availability for the season and the public relations blow of having its star player — one of the most popular in the NFL — face possible jail time.

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Falcons owner Arthur Blank, with Michael Vick, and his organization must now deal with a new set of uncertainties after Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury.

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"This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months," the Falcons said in a statement. "With today's news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion.

"We are disappointed that one of our players — and therefore the Falcons — is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that. Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news from Virginia. However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches."

How Vick and the Falcons move forward will be determined over the next few days, when the team's top officials — possibly with the assistance of league advisers — discuss a course of action. Falcons owner Arthur Blank and president and general manager Rich McKay were on a flight back from Africa on Tuesday and were unavailable for comment, according to a team spokesman.

Vick, for now, remains the team's starting quarterback. With the dogfighting investigation hanging over him most of the offseason, he used the practice field as a haven, delving into new coach Bobby Petrino's offensive system.

Teammates, Blank, Petrino and other team officials have publicly supported Vick.

The Falcons signed former Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington as a free agent to serve as Vick's backup. Atlanta native and Georgia product D.J. Shockley, along with former Baltimore Ravens starter Chris Redman, are competing for the No. 3 job. None possess Vick's talent or popularity.

Like the Falcons, the NFL issued a statement calling for the withholding of judgment while condemning the allegations listed in the 18-page indictment — some include Vick being present at the execution of dogs. It also mentioned the league's new player conduct policy, which has led to the suspension of several other NFL players before the legal process has run its course.

"We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. "We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case, and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

"The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts. The matter will be reviewed under the League's Personal Conduct Policy."

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for the season for repeated run-ins with the law. Chicago Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson, who was cut by the team recently, was suspended for eight games, for his legal problems. So was Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry.

Though the strengthening of the player code of conduct was aimed to punish repeat offenders, Goodell could suspend a player on a first offense and has warned Vick as much.

Goodell, who took over as commissioner in 2006, met with Vick in late April, shortly after police raided a property Vick owns in Surry County, Va., and found evidence of dogfighting. At that time, Vick told Goodell that he was not involved in dogfighting. Vick also said as much publicly then, in his only statements on the issue.

If the facts prove that Vick was not honest with Goodell, that could factor into any punishment levied.

Blank also met with Vick in early May and in a "stern" conversation. Blank said the talk was mostly one-sided but that he would trust and believe in Vick unless proven otherwise.

Part of the new player conduct policy deals with teams facing possible sanctions for not holding players accountable for negative behavior. That facet of the policy could prompt the Falcons to take proactive measures.