ATLANTA -- A source close to the Michael Vick investigation said Wednesday the Falcons quarterback is close to agreeing to plead quilty to dogfighting charges.

If Vick signs off on the deal he is expected to enter the plea in federal court in Richmond, Va. on Friday along with two other co-defendants.

There's no word on whether the agreement includes prison time for Vick.

WSB-TV Channel 2's Scott MacFarlane reports Vick's attorneys have been trying to hammer out an arrangement that will allow him to continue to play in the National Football League.

NFL officials have been mum on whether they would allow Vick to play if he is convicted on felony charges.

Observers familiar with the case now think it's likely Vick will enter his plea along with two co-defendants on Friday.

The hearing for Purnell Peace was set for Thursday morning, but has been reschuduled for Friday morning. The other remaining co-defendant, 28-year-old Quanis Phillips of Atlanta, will also enter a plea at that hearing.

Another of Vick's original co-defendants, Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty July 30 to taking part in a dogfighting conspiracy he said was financed by the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

As part of a plea agreement, Taylor pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick, Peace and Phillips.

They are accused of running an interstate dogfighting enterprise known as "Bad Newz Kennels" on Vick's property in rural Surry County.