Udeze

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Knee injury sidelines UdezeBy Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

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With their secondary already weakened by injuries, the Minnesota Vikings' defense has now taken a hit upfront, as starting right defensive end Kenechi Udeze will have surgery next week on his left knee

The second-year veteran, a first-round choice in the 2004 draft, will not play in Sunday's road game against the Atlanta Falcons. He joins a burgeoning list of Vikings defenders who have either been ruled out already or who are unlikely to play.

Nickel cornerback Brian Williams (knee) has been ruled out. Two other key players, starting free safety Darren Sharper (knee) and third-down pass rush specialist/defensive end Lance Johnstone (pectoral) are listed as "doubtful" on the injury report but neither is expected to play. The Vikings have spent much of the week shuffling their secondary and backup cornerback Ken Irvin probably will start in Sharper's spot.

Spencer Johnson will replace Udeze in the lineup but rookie Erasmus James, the latter of the Vikings' two choices in the first round this spring, will see considerable playing time as well. The loss of Udeze, even for Sunday's game at the Georgia Dome, could well be a critical one. Minnesota must contain Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, and not allow him to make plays outside the pocket, and Udeze certainly would have played a major role in trying to do that.

Udeze, 22, was injured in last week's victory over the New Orleans Saints and doctors suspect he may have damaged a meniscus cartilage in his left knee. He is tentatively scheduled for arthroscopic surgery next Wednesday and a timetable for his return won't be established until doctors can determine the extent of the damage.

"He's still having some ongoing symptoms in there," trainer Chuck Barta said. "He is progressively getting more and more fluid in the knee, so they're going to go in and take a look."

A former Southern California star, Udeze had displayed solid improvement in his overall performance in the first three games of the season. He had five tackles and also posted one of the Vikings' five sacks in those contests. But he can be a disciplined pass rusher, always important against Vick, and the Vikings will now have to rely on less experienced players to counter the elusive Atlanta quarterback.

Udeze started in 15 of his 16 appearances in 2004, and had 36 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovery.

[mnvikingsfreak]

I give up