United Press International

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 20 (UPI) — Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick, indicted on dog fighting charges, has been offered a plea agreement that includes up to three years in prison.

CNN said Monday that two unnamed sources said federal prosecutors are recommending an 18-month to 36-month prison term for Vick, but the NFL player’s attorneys are reportedly trying to have their client spend less than a year in prison.

Vick was among four men indicted on charges related to an alleged dog fighting and betting operation on property Vick owns in Virginia. Vick has pleaded innocent but the other three co-defendants have entered into plea agreements in which they admitted to a role in the dog fighting scheme.

In court documents last week, two of Vick’s co-defendants said the quarterback was involved in the operation and helped kill dogs that lost fights. They also alleged that funds behind the operation — called Bad Newz Kennels — came almost entirely from Vick.

Vick, 27, has been barred by the NFL from joining the Falcons training camp.