Upper Deck has removed all Michael Vick autographed memorabilia from its online store and will remove the indicted quarterback’s trading card from NFL sets that are scheduled to be released in October.

The announcement by the San Diego County company came a day after Nike suspended its lucrative contract with Vick and Reebok took the unprecedented step of stopping sales of his No. 7 jersey. Another trading card company, Donruss, announced it was pulling Vick’s likeness from any new packs.

"Of course we appreciate the fact that Mr. Vick is innocent until proven guilty, but the allegations alone have resulted in an outpouring of very strong emotion within our organization and among the collecting community," Kerri Stockholm, Upper Deck’s director of marketing, said in a statement. "We believe collectors will agree and support this decision as being the best course of action for our football business."

Items pulled from the online store include autographed footballs, helmets, jerseys and the company’s line of "Breaking Through" pieces. His card will be pulled beginning with the Ultimate Collection Football set.

The latest hit to Vick came two days after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback pleaded not guilty to federal dogfighting charges in Richmond, Va. In the indictment, he was accused of sponsoring a gruesome operation that often shot, hanged, drowned or electrocuted losing dogs.

● GIANTS NOT DISTRACTED BY AWOL STRAHAN: Michael Strahan’s decision to skip the opening of Giants training camp while mulling retirement after 14 seasons is a personal and business decision and not a major distraction.

That’s what many of his teammates said yesterday in Albany, N.Y.

"A couple of players have asked me, ‘Where’s Strahan?’ " fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora said less than an hour after the Giants held their first practice. "Well, he’s not here, that’s all I can tell you, I don’t really know where he is. But nobody is in a panic. Everybody has a lot of issues they have to deal with. People are trying to win jobs. They can’t be too overly concerned about what Michael Strahan is doing."

Giants management also was left guessing about the future of the seven-time Pro Bowler.

General Manager Jerry Reese was still waiting to talk to the 35-year-old star, and Coach Tom Coughlin was playing telephone tag with the veteran.

Strahan called the coach around 7:40 p.m. Friday, 10 minutes after the team meeting started - something Strahan had to know, having played for Coughlin for three years.

"I am not perturbed," Coughlin said of the failure to communicate. "I was disappointed right away that he is not here. You’d like to have him here on the field, but because I have not talked to him, it’s not an issue. Those things happen."

Strahan, who lost a bitter divorce case and asked earlier this year to renegotiate a contract that will pay him $4 million this season, was not immediately available for comment.

Tony Agnone, his agent, has not returned several telephone calls by The Associated Press the past two days.

The timing of Strahan’s decision was bad for the Giants, coming less than 24 hours before players were to report to the University at Albany.

For the past seven months, the Giants planned on having the NFL’s active leader in sacks (132½) line up at left end. They even moved second-year pro Mathias Kiwanuka from defensive end to strongside linebacker in April to get both of them on the field.

A day into training camp, they are considering other options.

For now, Kiwanuka is still a linebacker. William Joseph, the 2003 first-round draft pick who has never lived up to expectations, is starting for Strahan.

Kiwanuka believed Strahan didn’t think about retiring until recently, adding that he waited a long time last year before deciding to leave Boston College to enter the NFL draft.

"If Michael comes back, it will be a tremendous help to this team," Kiwanuka said. "If he doesn’t, we still have talent to go ahead and be strong."

● McNABB SAYS KNEE IS ‘ABOUT 75 PERCENT’: Donovan McNabb says he doesn’t need to be completely healthy to be a force in the NFL.

McNabb took part in the first practice of Eagles training camp yesterday, more than eight months after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Tennessee.

"I’d say it’s still about 75 percent," McNabb said of his knee. "I haven’t tested it yet, but I can do everything I need to do in order to be successful. At 75 percent, I personally feel I can be one of the best quarterbacks in the league."

McNabb was just that last season before suffering the injury. The five-time Pro Bowler was second in the NFL with 2,534 yards passing, tied for second with 17 touchdown passes and sixth with a 96.6 passer rating.

During minicamp six weeks ago, the Eagles’ ninth-year quarterback gauged his knee at 70-75 percent. Although he doesn’t appear hindered in practice, the Eagles do not plan to rush his return and have not decided whether he will play in their preseason opener against Baltimore on Aug. 13.

● CONCUSSION-PRONE MORGAN MAKES RISKY RETURN: Dan Morgan strapped on his extra-padded helmet, adjusted his special mouthpiece and ran onto the field knowing some people think he’s making a horrible decision.

The Carolina Panthers’ linebacker is trying to return from at least the fifth concussion of his career, one that forced him to miss the final 15 games last season.

There are disturbing stories of the long-term effects of multiple blows to the head, from memory loss to depression to dementia. But there was Morgan yesterday morning in Spartanburg, S.C., running around the practice field in a steady rain.

"Anybody who steps on the field is at risk, but I am more so because I have had more concussions than the average person," Morgan said. "The minute I don’t feel good is the minute I wouldn’t be playing football.

"At the same time, I feel good and I’m excited and I’m ready to go," he said.

Morgan isn’t completely ready. Despite being cleared to return in early January, Morgan took part in only some drills. He was replaced at middle linebacker by Adam Seward every time there was a chance of contact.

"We take precautions with a lot of guys," Coach John Fox said. "We always have and always will."

Morgan wasn’t sure if he’ll play in any preseason games but vows to be ready to play in the season opener Sept. 9 at St. Louis.

But should he?

Studies show people who have suffered multiple concussions are prone to have more. And playing middle linebacker means plenty of hitting.

"You never know what lies ahead, and I’m not going to go into each practice thinking, ‘Oh, if I get a concussion my career is over,’ " Morgan said. "Like I said, if things happen, they happen. You move on, and if they don’t happen, then great."

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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