Minnesota Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone left the game against New Orleans with a sprained shoulder. Johnstone had one sack in the first quarter against the Saints. A veteran pass-rushing specialist, Johnstone plays primarily on the nickel defense. He has 23 sacks since the start of the 2003 season. Vikings cornerback Brian Williams sprained his knee in the second quarter and did not return.

His first two games have been lackluster to say the least, sending fantasy football players scrambling to make a trade. Daunte Culpepper is not worried and is not going to let his early season setbacks get him down. "That shows I'm not perfect. I've just got to keep battling through it," said Culpepper, who has eight interceptions and only one touchdown -- rushing! -- after throwing just 11 INTs against 39 TDs in 2004 while setting several franchise marks, a few NFL records and earning his third trip to the Pro Bowl.

Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper played Sunday's game at Cincinnati despite an injured right knee that has caused mild concern within the Vikings organization. Although Culpepper was not among the players the team acknowledged as injured Monday -- a list including receiver Nate Burleson, free safety Darren Sharper and linebacker E.J. Henderson -- he was seen wearing a tight elastic brace around the knee Sunday. The team has not revealed the exact nature of the injury, but coach Mike Tice alluded to it during his pregame radio interview Sunday on KFAN (1130-AM). Tice indicated the injury occurred during the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. Culpepper was not listed on the injury report because the injury did not force him to miss any practice time, but it might have played a role in his decision to run only twice for 10 yards in the Vikings' 37-8 loss to the Bengals. Culpepper did not address the injury during an interview with reporters Monday. He suffered cartilage damage to his left knee during the first game of the 2001 season and eventually had season-ending surgery after 12 games.

Minnesota defense tackle Kevin Williams is set to plead not-guilty to a domestic assult charge according to his lawyers. "We are contesting all of the allegations," said Williams' attorney, Joe Tamburino. His other defense attorney, Allan Caplan, predicted his client will be cleared. "I feel perfectly comfortable saying that when the matter resolves itself, it will it will resolve itself with Kevin Williams being completely and totally exonerated of any wrongdoing," Caplan said.

Signed to a two-year contract by the Vikings at mid-week, wide receiver Koren Robinson was released on Saturday by the team, but only temporarily. The troubled wide receiver, who was jettisoned by the Seattle Seahawks this summer after a spate of alcohol-related off-field problems, was one of several vested veterans leaguewide who were released Saturday for salary-cap and payroll purposes. Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, a vested veteran -- a player with four or more seasons accrued toward the NFL pension plan -- is guaranteed his full base salary for the year if he is on an opening-day roster. To avoid the guarantee, teams often release fringe vested players before the start of the season, then re-sign them after the opener. That takes a team off the hook for the guarantee and means if a player is subsequently released, the club is responsible only for the prorated share of his base salary. At least three other vested players -- Pittsburgh quarterback Charlie Batch, Tennessee wide receiver Troy Edwards and Denver wide receiver David Terrell -- were released on Saturday to avoid the guarantee. All are expected to be re-signed by the club next week.

The Vikings are hoping Koren Robinson's future contributions will outweigh the baggage from his past. Although the team refused to confirm it, Robinson's agent said Monday the former Seattle Seahawks receiver had agreed to a two-year deal after a two-day visit to Winter Park. Agent Alvin Keels would not divulge financial details but the contract is thought to be for about $1.5 million with several obtainable incentives. Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president of football operations, said the sides were still working on several peripheral issues. Keels, however, expects the deal to be signed today and for his client to be in uniform for the Vikings' game at Cincinnati on Sept 11. Robinson did not attend a training camp this summer because he checked into a 28-day treatment program for alcoholism. "No. 1, Koren wants to get back on the field," said Keels, who doesn't expect Robinson to play in the Vikings' season opener Sunday against Tampa Bay. Continued Keels: "No. 2, this gives him an opportunity to play with one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Daunte Culpepper and No. 3, he's a competitor and has a drive to win. Minnesota has the ingredients [to win the Super Bowl] and he wants to contribute in any way he can."