Knee injury ends Culpepper's year

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- The demoralized Minnesota Vikings surely believed their already dire situation couldn't become any worse.
Then came confirmation Monday that quarterback Daunte Culpepper will miss the rest of the season with a devastating injury to his right knee.
Not exactly the news a 2-5 team needed to hear.
"This is just another hurdle we have to overcome," coach Mike Tice said.
Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl pick coming off a career year whose effectiveness had fallen off dramatically this season, tore his anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in Sunday's 38-13 loss at Carolina.
Once the swelling subsides, the 28-year-old Culpepper will have surgery and several months of arduous rehabilitation. An injury of this nature typically takes a year to recover, but at least the Vikings are optimistic about his status for 2006.
"Our expectations are he's going to be ready for the season," athletic trainer Chuck Barta said.
Culpepper was hurt on the final play of the first quarter, when Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble hit him low at the end of an 18-yard run for a first down.
"I was right behind him, trailing it, and I saw it all happen," said center Melvin Fowler. "It's sad and unfortunate. He's a great player, and he'll be missed for the time that he's out."
Veteran Brad Johnson, who played for the Vikings from 1992 to 1998 and returned to his original team this year, will be the starter. Untested Shaun Hill moves up to second string.
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