Eagles quarterback Vick looks to throw in his return to play the Atlanta Falcons as the starter for the Eagles, in the first half of their NFL football game in Atlanta.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) looks to throw in his return to play the Atlanta Falcons as the starter for the Eagles, in the first half of their NFL football game in Atlanta, Georgia, September 18, 2011. Reuters

Michael Vick's Atlanta homecoming ended painfully as the Pro Bowl quarterback left Philadelphia's 35-31 loss to the Falcons early on Sunday after suffering concussion in a clash with a team mate.

Vick was hit and slammed head-first into his offensive lineman Todd Herremans late in the third quarter with the Eagles in the midst of a drive that would give them a 31-21 lead.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the game that his quarterback had suffered concussion.

Backup quarterback Mike Kafka could not preserve Philadelphia's lead and Atlanta rallied with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to snatch the win.

All eyes had been on Vick in his return visit to the city where he launched his professional career before it was derailed by controversy.

Vick played his first six seasons with the Falcons, making three Pro Bowls, but left Atlanta in shame to serve a prison sentence for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring.

He was barely used in a back-up role with Philadelphia when he first returned to the Georgia Dome in 2009.

This time, the Atlanta crowd greeted Vick with a mixture of cheers and jeers, with many spectators displaying No. 7 Vick jerseys from both his Falcons playing days and his current tenure with the Eagles.

An electrifying runner and passer, Vick finished with 242 yards passing and two scores along with 25 yards on the ground on Sunday.

It was Atlanta's new franchise quarterback, Matt Ryan, who captured the limelight, however. Ryan tossed for four TDs on the night to lead the Falcons to the comeback win.

National Football League