Viking back has arthroscopic surgery
Knight Ridder Newspapers
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper wasn't the only Viking to have knee surgery Tuesday.
Veteran running back Moe Williams underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee and could miss the rest of the season.
Inactive the past two games, Williams, who also has a back injury, has only 13 carries for 20 yards this season, but he served a key role as a top pass blocker and showed a knack for making big plays.
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Expected to be placed on injured reserve, Williams' short-yardage role has been filled by rookie Ciatrick Fason. In his debut on offense, Fason scored a three-yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
But Fason failed to convert on another short-yardage play, missing a hole and opting to run outside.
Fason also is filling in on special teams as kickoff returner Koren Robinson's primary blocker. He paved the way for Robinson's 86-yard touchdown Sunday against the New York Giants.
"Ciatrick is the best we've got at it,'' special-teams coach Rusty Tillman said. "Ciatrick has a good feel of who to block.''
Williams' third-down role likely will be split between starter Mewelde Moore and veteran Michael Bennett.
The Vikings are unlikely to add another running back because they promoted 5-10, 226-pound Adimchinobe Echemandu from the practice squad Nov. 2.
