Eden Prairie, Minn. ? Daunte Culpepper’s season officially ended Tuesday when the Minnesota Vikings placed the quarterback on injured reserve.

Culpepper tore the anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee in Sunday’s loss at Carolina.

Surgery hasn’t been scheduled yet, but the Vikings are anticipating that the quarterback will be ready for the 2006 season.

It’s possible, though, that the 28-year-old could be out longer if further damage is discovered during the operation.

Brad Johnson will start in his place and Shaun Hill becomes the backup. Minnesota didn’t immediately sign another quarterback and coach Mike Tice indicated Monday that the team might not do so right away – or perhaps even play the rest of the year with just two.

The Vikings made one other move Tuesday, releasing wide receiver Jason Anderson from the practice squad and adding wide receiver Kelvin Kight to the practice squad.