Vikings Bennett Hopes to Salvage Half of 2003 Season

Minnesota Vikings running back Michael Bennett has elected to undergo a procedure in which bone marrow will be removed from his hip, mixed with a protein that stimulates bone growth and injected into the site of the Jones fracture in his left foot. His foot will be put in a cast, and electric stimulation will be applied to promote bone formation. If successful, Bennett should be able to play at least half of the regular season.

Trainer Chuck Barta told the "Minneapolis Star-Tribune" Thursday, "If everything goes perfect, the soonest Michael will play is early to midseason. We take the cast off after four weeks. But he'll have to rebuild muscle and get his range of motion back. He also could have to wear the cast longer."

Bennett also has the option of having surgery performed again on the injured foot, but most likely would be lost for the season if he were to go that route.

The Vikings have no plans to bring someone in to fill Bennett's starting role. Moe Williams, John Avery and Doug Chapman, along with rookie Onterrio Smith will pick up the slack with Chapman probably having the the best shot at winning the job heading into the season. Larry Ned, who was signed to the practice squad last December. could also see some playing time.

If Bennett's injury lingers deep into the season, don't be surprised if Smith ends up being the feature back by mid-season. He was a fourth-round pick in April, but the Vikings feel they got a guy with first-round talent. Before the draft, I had him projected as a second rounder, but his lack of size may have kept other teams from taking him earlier. Discuss it on the forum...