Four-time Pro Bowl center Matt Birk, a mainstay of the Minnesota Vikings' offensive line, underwent hip surgery Tuesday that could sideline him all of summer training camp and perhaps jeopardize his availability for the start of the regular season. The surgery, to repair a torn labrum in Birk's right hip, is the fourth procedure to which the seven-year veteran has been subjected over the past nine months. The three earlier operations were all to repair sports hernias. Birk believes the hip injury resulted from the sports hernias. "This is all a function of having tried to compensate for [the hernias]," said Birk, who has missed all of the offseason conditioning program. "When they checked out the hernia, to see how it was progressing, they found this thing. Hopefully, this will take care of it."

NFL owners on Wednesday unanimously approved the $600 million sale of the Minnesota Vikings to a group led by New Jersey shopping mall magnate Zygmunt Wilf. Wilf was given to go-ahead to purchase the team from Red McCombs, with the closing date expected to take place in June. Wilf immediately pledged to work to build a new stadium to replace the Metrodome, and vowed that the team will stay in Minnesota. "To me, this is not a matter of economics. This is a matter of passion. I've always been a strong NFC fan," said Wilf, a lifelong supporter of the New York Giants. "We will be in the Minneapolis area forever. Look, I'm not changing that at all. We will do our best to make sure that we get the best venue and right location."

The Minnesota Vikings spoke with Paul Edinger?s agent Ken Harris on Monday, expressing interest in the kicker who was released by the Chicago Bears the day before. Rob Brzezinski, Vikings vice president of football operations, would only say Monday the club is investigating Edinger's availability. "I think the offer sheet we signed him to speaks for itself," Brzezinski said.

Minnesota Vikings tailback Onterrio Smith has been apprised by the NFL that he faces a suspension for the entire 2005 season for a repeat violation of the league's substance abuse program, two sources with knowledge of his situation told ESPN.com. "He has been excused from the rest of the offseason program, and he will be gone indefinitely," said Mike Tice. "I really can't speak about any reasons why, or when he will be back. It is in the league's hands. We'll leave it at that."

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Randy Moss said that the close relationship he once shared with Culpepper in Minnesota had deteriorated after Moss was traded to Oakland in the offseason. "Once you grow to love a person, a breakup is kind of hard," Moss said. "I thought Culpepper was (my friend), but now that everything's happened, it seems to me I lost a friend. "I used to go over to Daunte's all the time. I'd call him up after practice and ask him what he was doing. He'd say 'You know we are doing it big. Come on over.' I thought I had a friend in Daunte, but obviously I didn't." Culpepper was clearly surprised by the remarks. "My phone number hasn't changed," Culpepper said, implying that Moss has not contacted him. "If you're my friend, why haven't you talked to me? Know what I'm saying?"

The Minnesota Vikings began their developmental camp on Monday without defensive backs Corey Chavous and Brian Williams. The duo seem displeased with their current situations with the Vikings. Coach Mike Tice has so far been mum about the situation that is unraveling and the only one talking is Williams? agent Jordan Feagan. "Brian chose not to attend," Feagan said. "He is back home in North Carolina working out and spending time with his young daughter who he never has a chance to see during the season. He will be ready for training camp."

Vikings running back Onterrio Smith, who has a history of violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, was briefly detained by airport police last month after they found an elaborate kit used to beat drug tests. Police at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport questioned Smith on April 21 after a search of his bag discovered vials of white powder, according to a police report. Smith told officers it was dried urine used in conjunction with a device called "The Original Whizzinator." The officer who filed the report wrote that Smith "told me that it was dried urine for making a clean urine test." In addition, he had a bottle of pills labeled "cleansing formula." Smith told police he was taking the vials to his cousin. The police report didn't say where Smith was traveling. The Star Tribune first reported the story Wednesday. "We will continue to monitor the situation as we would with any other and evaluate it from there," coach Mike Tice said in a statement Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs said yesterday that he is confident the team will be sold within the next month. In talks Monday, McCombs referenced new general parter Zygmunt Wilf, saying "it sounds like Zyggi's going to be a biggie." Some major issues for the new onwership include funding for a new stadium and the loss of Randy Moss among others.

Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs said he's confident his team will soon be sold to the investor group now headed by New Jersey real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf. "Sounds like Zyggi's going to be the biggie," McCombs said, chuckling from his San Antonio office. "That's what they're planning right now." He's serious about this transaction, though, and he expressed no doubt about its completion. "I expected it to close when we signed, and I still do," said McCombs, who is anticipating the sale to close sometime in June. "I don't have a drop-dead date," he said. The deal has been in the works for nearly a year, and the purchase agreement was announced three months ago. At that point, Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler -- who could have become the NFL's first black owner -- led a group that included four limited partners.