Vikings Let Weak-Kneed Allen Go

Unable to trade a highly paid running back with questionable knees, the Minnesota Vikings released Terry Allen on Monday.

Allen, who holds the team record for rushing yards in a season, has had surgery on both knees in the last five years. He gained 1,031 yards last season after missing all of 1993 with a knee injury.

Allen was to make about $1.5 million in 1995. Minnesota nearly traded him on draft day, but the team that was most interested picked a running back in the early rounds, said Jeff Diamond, team vice president.