Atlanta ? Lawyers representing Michael Vick on federal dogfighting charges are trying to negotiate a plea agreement that would include less than the year of prison time that prosecutors have offered, ESPN learned Tuesday.

A source also said that Vick’s attorneys have recommended that the embattled quarterback accept a deal if it includes less than a year of jail time, but he has not decided whether to fight the charges.

Vick’s situation became more tenous Monday night when two more co-defendants decided to cooperate with the government. Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond on Friday to accept plea agreements. That clears them to testify against Vick.

Collins R. Spencer III, a spokesman for Vick’s lawyers, said they were surprised by the plea deals.

“They didn’t see it coming,” Spencer said.

Sources told ESPN’s Kelly Naqi that Vick attorneys Larry Woodward and Billy Martin met with federal prosecutor Michael Gill and the investigators Monday afternoon.

In a Richmond, Va., court in late July, Vick pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and conspiring to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He said in a written statement that he looked forward to “clearing my good name.” He also pleaded with the public to resist a rush to judgment.

Another of Vick’s co-defendants, 34-year-old Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to the same charges and has pledged to fully cooperate with the government in its prosecution of Vick and the two others. The plea deal requires Taylor to testify against Vick and his two remaining co-defendants if called upon to do so.

A source close to the investigation told Naqi that Vick has until Friday to make up his mind whether to accept a plea agreement. Otherwise a superseding indictment will be filed, and Vick will face at least two more federal dogfighting charges.

Meanwhile, ESPN reports that the NFL dismissed a report Sunday that said commissioner Roger Goodell was close to announcing a season-long suspension of Vick.

Citing two sources within the league, Yahoo Sports reported late Sunday night that Goodell will announce “this week or next” that Vick will be suspended for the 2007 season.