MINNEAPOLIS — 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 had already earned the bonuses before his dogfighting conviction, so the money wasn't 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, but he said the 8th Circuit upheld Doty's ruling on Vick's bonuses in large part because it found the contract's forfeiture language ambiguous.

"That is something that we will seek to change at the bargaining table to ensure that bonus payments are paid to players who comply with their contracts and perform on the field," Aiello said.

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 Vick to a $1.6 million contract for 2009, with a team option for the second year at $5.2 million.

ELSEWHERE

Browns: Cleveland lost its leading tackler for the second time this season. Eric Barton was placed on injured reserve yesterday with an unspecified injury, leaving the Browns without their two starting inside linebackers for the final eight games this season. D'Qwell Jackson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery last month.

Patriots: New England signed linebacker Thomas Williams to the practice squad. The club released a statement yesterday that said Williams will join the eight-man practice squad to replace cornerback Kyle Arrington, who was promoted to the 53-man roster over the weekend.

Steelers: Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin isn't saying if the team has any interest in Larry Johnson, the former Penn State running back who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson, who would like to play in Pittsburgh, was cut Monday after being suspended for the second time in a year.