PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) -- Michael Vick, jailed for 18 months after being convicted of bankrolling a dogfighting ring, returned to professional football on Thursday with a low-key pre-season performance for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick, who played as quarterback in the first quarter only, attempted and completed four passes to gain 19 yards in the Eagles' 33-32 victory in their third pre-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Most spectators cheered Vick, a former All-Pro quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, whose controversial two-year contract has divided Philadelphia fans and football pundits.

The first overall pick in the 2001 draft, Vick, 29, was once one of the NFL's most popular and exciting players.

But Vick had a stunning fall from grace in 2007 when police raided his rural Virginia property and found evidence of dogfighting.

He later pleaded guilty and was convicted of conspiracy charges in an interstate dogfighting enterprise and handed a 23-month sentence.

Vick, who prior to Thursday had not played an NFL game since 2006, was released from jail in May and was on supervised home confinement in Virginia for two months before being conditionally reinstated by the NFL last month.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week Six of the regular season.

(Reporting by Jon Hurdle; Editing by Ian Ransom)