Vikings lose game — and Culpepper!

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 9/15/2004

 

It appears that the Vikings’ star quarterback Daunte Culpepper may be lost for the rest of the season after sustaining a serious right knee injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 38-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

 

It was the Vikings’ fourth loss in four games on the road this year — they are now 2-5. In the four road losses this year the Vikings have hardly been competitive. They have been outscored by a combined margin of 133 to 34 in losses to Cincinnati, Atlanta, Chicago and Carolina.

 

So far this year, the Vikings have become road kill when they play on the road. Under Tice, the Vikings are only 9-22 on the road in this, his fourth full season including playoffs.

 

“The quarterback doesn’t appear to be in good shape. Said Head Coach Mike Tice, “I’m not a doctor, but the initial tests are not good. It doesn’t appear that it’s going to be anything that we as Vikings will want to hear.

 

“Things happen that are devastating. This certainly, if it is as serious as it appears, it’s devastating to our football team.”

 

Culpepper ran for 18 yards on the final play of the first quarter when he was hit by several defenders, including Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble, who came in from the right side and tackled Culpepper’s right leg. Culpepper immediately grabbed his knee in pain.

 

He was taken off the field by cart and did not return. The Vikings reported that he sustained a sprained right knee. Back-up quarterback Brad Johnson replaced Culpepper, completing 13 of 28 for 162 yards and one touchdown.

 

With or without Culpepper, the Vikings play at home next Sunday against Detroit. They have now fallen two full games behind  the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears, who are now 4-3.

 

 

Fitz Notes & Quotes

 

I was in Dallas Sunday to see Arizona vs. Dallas, and former Gopher star Marion Barber III  scored two touchdowns and ran for 127 yards in the Cowboys’ 34-13 win over the Cardinals. Dallas Head Coach Bill Parcells moved into ninth place on the NFL’s all-time win list with his 170th career win, tying Hall-of-Famer Paul Brown.

 

The Chicago Bears’ 19-13 win over Detroit Sunday was the franchise’s 650th regular season win, becoming the first NFL team to accomplish that feat.

 

Former Gopher star and Vikings assistant Tony Dungy, now the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, has the league’s only undefeated team at 7-0. He is the second African American head coach in the last nine years to start the season 7-0. Dennis Green did it twice in Minnesota, 1998 and 2000.

 

Tickets are on sale for the Vikings’ popular NFL workshop this Saturday, 2-4 pm, at the Winter Park Field House. Call 612-33-VIKES for tickets.