A federal appeals court yesterday backed the judge who ruled against the NFL and let quarterback Michael Vick keep more than $16 million in roster bonuses from the Atlanta Falcons.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Judge David Doty's order saying Vick already had earned the bonuses before his dogfighting conviction, so the money was not subject to forfeiture.

Vick served 18 months in prison and is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Doty has long handled matters arising from the NFL's collective-bargaining agreement. After Doty ruled in the Vick bonus case, the NFL accused him of bias and sought to end his oversight of its contract with the players union.

The appeals court said the contract should remain under Doty's oversight.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello did not say whether the league planned a further appeal.

Vick, a former Atlanta Falcons star, was released from federal custody July 20 after serving 18 months of a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring in Surry County, Va. The Eagles signed him to a $1.6 million contract for 2009, with a team option for the second year at $5.2 million.

Cleveland linebacker Eric Barton will miss the rest of the season with an unspecified injury. In announcing that Barton was being placed on injured reserve, the Browns did not reveal his injury or a timetable for their leading tackler's recovery. Barton is the second Cleveland inside linebacker to be sidelined with a season-ending injury. D'Qwell Jackson underwent shoulder surgery last month.

The Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears game Nov. 22 will remain the Sunday night matchup, even though NBC had the option of picking another. The NFL's flexible scheduling policy goes into effect that week for the rest of the season. ... A Nashville judge has authorized the widow of retired NFL player Steve McNair to sell the restaurant he opened shortly before he was shot and killed.

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