While Falcons and NFL officials spent Wednesday discussing how to move forward following a federal felony indictment against quarterback Michael Vick, a decision was made about the quarterback's short-term future.

Vick won't be with the team at its season-opening practice July 26.

Gene Blythe/AP (ENLARGE)

Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has denied any involvement in a dogfighting ring. He faces felony charges of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. Both are felonies.

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A half-hour after the Falcons take the field for the first training camp practice of the coach Bobby Petrino-era, Vick will be in Richmond, Va., making his first appearance in federal court on charges related to dogfighting.

The United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, issued a summons on Wednesday ordering Vick and three fellow defendants — Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor — to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis W. Dohnal for a bond hearing at 3:30 p.m. July 26.

After bond is set, the four defendants will be arraigned at 4 p.m. before Federal District Court Judge Herbert Hudson, who will decide the case that has put Vick's career in jeopardy. Because of the seriousness of the alleged crimes, a six-figure bond likely will be set for each of the defendants.

The summons was issued a day after Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities ("Travel Act"), and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture, in violation of federal law. Both charges are felonies and could lead to six years in prison and fines totaling $350,000.

Virginia Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter, the local prosecutor in Surry County, Va., told the Newport News Daily Press that the state planned to continue its dogfighting investigation. Poindexter did not return calls from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A grand jury is scheduled to convene in Surry County on July 24.

Whether Vick's absence from next week's practice will be the first of many practices, games and other team functions he will miss — voluntarily or not — remained uncertain.

Team owner Arthur Blank and president/general manager Rich McKay returned from a vacation in Africa Wednesday morning and spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on a conference call to discuss the unprecedented development and how to proceed.

Blank, McKay and other team officials also held a conference call late in the afternoon. The Falcons declined comment on those talks. Calls to several Falcons players were not returned.

There remains the possibility that Goodell could suspend Vick under the new player-conduct policy before a trial even starts. The Falcons also could administer some form of discipline — or possibly offer Vick a leave of absence.

The league and the franchise also could opt to allow Vick to practice and play while receiving due process.

That is the path the NFL Players Association is hoping the Falcons and the league follows.

"It's unfortunate that Michael Vick is in this position, as these allegations are extremely disturbing and offensive," The NFLPA said in a statement. "This case is now in the hands of the judicial system and we have to allow the legal process to run its course. However, we recognize Michael still has the right to prove his innocence. Hopefully, these allegations are untrue and Michael will be able to continue his NFL career. We will continue to monitor this case very closely."

The Falcons have not had any discussions about pursuing recently released free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper or any other quarterback, according to a team official.

D. Orlando Ledbetter reported from Richmond, Va. and Steve Wyche from Flowery Branch.