Culpepper’s pain is eased by surgery

Daunte Culpepper underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday to remove a piece of cartilage that has hampered his recovery from reconstructive surgery a year ago.

The problem was discovered when the Miami Dolphins quarterback was examined Wednesday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

“Behind his kneecap there was a little piece of articular cartilage that was causing some catching,” Coach Nick Saban said. “That’s what was causing the problem.

“That’s why we wanted to get this evaluated. We all feel much better that there’s a solution to what wasn’t a serious issue, but it was an issue that was holding him back some.”

Culpepper will remain on the active roster, at least for now, so there remains a chance he’ll play again this season.

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New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan did not participate in practice, a day after he took part in his first individual drills since spraining his right foot against Houston four weeks ago.

Strahan is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

“It’s not a setback,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “This was the week that actually he was going to get involved doing things.”

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Tennessee Titans rookie running back LenDale White sat out practice because of a strained hip, but said he should be back on the practice field today.

White, a second-round pick from USC, suffered a strained hip muscle in Wednesday’s practice but returned to finish the workout.

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Concerned over Sebastian Janikowski’s lingering back pains, the Oakland Raiders brought in a pair of kickers for tryouts but offered neither a contract.

Veteran Paul Edinger and rookie Kurt Smith both worked out at the team’s Alameda facilities following practice, with special teams coach Ted Daisher watching.

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The San Diego Chargers’ injury list still is a long one as they prepare for a game at Buffalo.

Several starters sat out a portion of practice Thursday, including defensive end Luis Castillo, left guard Kris Dielman and defensive tackle Jamal Williams, all with ankle injuries; center Nick Hardwick (back); safety Marlon McCree (calf-knee); and backup running back-kick returner Michael Turner (hamstring).

Castillo, Dielman, McCree and Turner are questionable.

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Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for the game Sunday at Chicago because of a right knee injury.... San Francisco 49ers tight end Eric Johnson will sit out at least the next two weeks after injuring his left knee during practice. Johnson, who has 32 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns this season, missed two of the last three seasons because of serious injuries.