| Cymbal Man Freq. 2004-12-30, 11:06 am |
| Last update: December 30, 2004 at 6:54 AM
Culpepper among Vikings feeling ill
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune
December 30, 2004
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper was among three starters to miss practice Wednesday
because of a progressive upper respiratory illness that has been spreading
through the Vikings locker room.
Coach Mike Tice sent Culpepper, cornerback Antoine Winfield and tight end
Jermaine Wiggins home Wednesday morning to prevent further contamination.
Culpepper returned to watch practice, but departed Winter Park immediately
afterward to undergo intravenous treatment.
Culpepper, listed as probable on the team's injury report, said he would
practice today. As of Wednesday evening, the Vikings were convinced Culpepper
would start Sunday's crucial regular-season finale at Washington.
"I've been sick with it for a few days, but it just got a little worse
[Tuesday]," he said. "I'll be OK. I'm definitely practicing [today]."
Backup Gus Frerotte, who played his first five seasons for the Redskins,
replaced Culpepper in practice. The Vikings also gave receiver Randy Moss
several snaps during a morning walk-through to prepare for the unlikely event
that Culpepper does not play and Frerotte is nicked up during the game and needs
a few plays to recover.
In that situation, Tice said, the Vikings would use Moss instead of No. 3
quarterback Shaun Hill; because of NFL rules regarding third quarterback
designations, Frerotte and Culpepper would be ineligible to play if Hill enters
the game.
"Daunte is probably the sickest of the guys," Tice said, "so you just have to
have all of your ducks in a row, like any other position."
Cornerback Terrance Shaw has been playing despite a similar illness for about
two weeks. Shaw said last week he was diagnosed with pneumonia. The illness also
has caused vomiting; punter Darren Bennett fell victim to that symptom during
practice Wednesday. Most players have taken about three days to recover, Tice
said.
"I don't expect them to be doing cartwheels," Tice said. "But hopefully by
Friday they'll be feeling good, which will give them plenty of time to still get
some rest."
The Vikings have redoubled the protocols they established in 2002, when a
stomach virus made its way through the building. Hand sanitizers are available
in almost every room, and assistants have been disinfecting doorknobs and other
high-traffic areas. The training and equipment staffs also have established
personalized towels for players to prevent sharing. The Vikings also have
attempted to upgrade a dilapidated ventilation system.
Winfield and Wiggins are also listed as probable.
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