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Millard out for season, career threatened

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Keith Millard was to have major reconstructive surgery on his right knee Tuesday and will be out for at least the remainder of the season.

'It's career-threatening,' Millard said Monday. 'It's going to take a hell of an effort, an every-day process just to get back to where I can use it. But if there's a person who can do that, Keith Millard can do it.'

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Dr. David Fischer, the Vikings' medical director, said Millard tore his medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in the third quarter of the Vikings' 23-20 overtime loss to Tampa Bay Sunday. Fischer sounded cautiously optimistic about Millard's chances of making a comeback.

'It's a major injury to his knee joint,' Fischer said. 'We don't expect it to interfere with his playing pro football, but certainly it's an injury of that magnitude. ... I think we're aiming toward Keith's playing his position next year. ... I think Keith's goal would be to put him in a position to play, where he can put his great love of the game, his desire and his athleticism to work for him.'

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Millard, 28, a key leader of the Vikings' defense, said his wife Sal came into the locker room after he was hurt and reminded him that Chicago Bears tackle Dan Hampton survived 10 knee operations and is still playing.

'But Dan Hampton never had anything like this,' Millard said. 'I'm not making light of his injuries, but I talked to Dr. Fischer this morning. He said, 'You'll be in uniform next season, but who knows how well you'll be able to play?' But I told Sal, we're set financially, if my career is over. I won't have to go out and get a job for some time.'

Other Vikings have suffered similar injuries, including quarterback Rich Gannon, former linebacker Jesse Solomon and former defensive end Doug Martin. Gannon recovered in one offseason, Solomong did not return to 100 percent for about one year and Martin recovered but the injured probably hastened his retirement.

Millard's injury came on the Metrodome's artificial turf when he leaped over a Tampa Bay player in an attempt to get quarterback Vinny Testeverde. When he landed, his cleats caught and his knee buckled. He was not hit by another player.

'When I came down, it felt like the impact of a hit,' Millard said. 'It hurt more than anything I've ever felt in my life.'

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Teammates Chris Doleman, Henry Thomas and Al Noga helped restrain him after the injury.

'I was rolling around and they were trying to calm me down,' Millard said. 'All I wanted to do was get at my knee. They couldn't keep me from screaming. I think they were trying to prevent me from going into shock because the pain was unbelievable.'

Millard's abscence leaves the already-struggling Vikings defense in an even bigger hole. General Manager Mike Lynn says Thomas Strauthers probably will start in Millard's place and that the club will try to sign or trade for a backup tackle. One possibility is to bring in Ken Clarke, who was among the final players cut in presason.

'I'm excited,' said Strauthers, 29. 'It's a challenge for me. I want to show (the coaches) they made a good decision in bringing me here. I'm really trying not to put pressure on myself, saying, 'Millard's down, I've got to play up to his standards.' No. Keith is a great player. I can't go in and do the things he did.'

The Vikings, the defending NFC Central champions, are off to a 1-3 start. But Coach Jerry Burns is not ready to concede the title.

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'We're still talking about winning the division, not a wildcard spot,' he said.

Lynn also said he is not panicking.

'This team could just as easily be 4-0,' Lynn said. 'We've lost three games by three points(each).

'It's not like we're getting blown out 30 to nothing. I would be really concerned if we were getting blown out by two or three touchdowns. I don't believe in any blakc-cat theory or snake-bit theory.'

In other developments, the Vikings have signed three practice players, safety Pat Eilers, running back. J.J. Flannigan and offensive lineman James Harper. Safrety Ken Stills and receiver Pat Newman, coming off injured reserve, also will join the practice squad.

The team was expected to re-sign wide receiver-punt returner Leo Lewis Tuesday.

Burns also said punter Harry Newsome was better than average Sunday, meaning he will be kept around for another week.

Cornerback Reggie Rutland was feeling better after suffering a concussion Sunday and should be able to play this week. Guard Randall McDaniel won't practice for a couple of days because of a sprained right ankle.

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