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--> --> Vikings' Boileau out for season MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - Defensive end Michael Boireau of the Minnesota Vikings will miss the entire season because of a relapse of a rare and incurable muscular disorder. He was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular condition that causes muscle fatigue around the eyes. Doctors had hoped medication could control the disease that forced Boireau to miss minicamp. "He has a serious deal that has not healed as much as his doctors anticipated it would," coach Dennis Green said Monday. Boireau, drafted in the second round in 2000, was placed on the non-football related injury reserve list and cannot be activated this season. The Vikings also learned that tight end John Davis could miss the first week of camp. He was in a car accident two weeks ago in which a facial cut resulted in significant blood loss. Davis failed his team physical last week. He can be activated when his blood count returns to normal, possibly within a week. "We should find out in four or five days," Green said. · · · SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) - Wide receiver Patrick Jeffers intends to return for the Carolina Panthers' final exhibition game Aug. 31 following knee surgery last week. Team doctors removed a flap of cartilage and there was some concern that Jeffers might miss the season opener. However, Jeffers said the swelling is subsiding and he hopes to return to practice in two weeks. Jeffers was a 1,000-yard receiver in 1999. He tore an ACL in his left knee last year during an exhibition game against Pittsburgh, forcing him to miss the entire season. On the same day that doctors repaired that torn ligament, they also performed surgery on his other knee. Jeffers has since experienced swelling in both knees at various times. "I'm worried that it's going to be a recurring thing I have to deal with," Jeffers said. "But I can't do anything about it. I trust that the doctors are being honest with me in what they're saying. And what they're saying is once they clean it out, it should be all right." · · · GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle, the team's leading career tackler, will miss 3-to-4 weeks recovering from surgery on his right thumb. The injury was revealed Monday, two days after the 36-year-old linebacker was hurt during a training camp practice. Tuggle tore ligaments in his thumb and sustained a chip fracture. "I was working on my pass rush and I ripped a guy and hit him on the kneecap," Tuggle said. "I got a full swing and that popped the thumb out of the joint." Tuggle was already coming back from the most serious injury of his career. He missed the final eight games last season after tearing a ligament in his left knee. · · · CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) - With the first practices of training camp done, the Washington Redskins officially have two holdouts - and they aren't expected to show up soon. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said Monday that negotiations have stalled with the team's top two draft picks, wide receiver Rod Gardner from Clemson and cornerback Fred Smoot from Mississippi State. "At this point and time, there's no progress being made," Schottenheimer said. Meanwhile, the Redskins signed defensive lineman Michael Bankston, who spent the last three years with Cincinnati. Bankston can play both end and tackle, positions in which the Redskins lack depth. "He's a solid guy - he's not missed a game in his nine-year career," Schottenheimer said. The Redskins also worked out oft-injured running back Ki-Jana Carter, cornerback Darrien Gordon and defensive end Dorian Boose. The team passed on Gordon and Boose, while a decision on Carter will be made within a couple of days. "Carter did a pretty good job, but we've just got to sit down and take a look at the medical side of it," Schottenheimer said. · · · RIVER FALLS, Wis. (AP) - Rookie free agent kicker Lawrence Tynes couldn't miss Sunday and could hardly connect in Monday morning's Kansas City Chiefs practice. He hit from 58 yards on Sunday in his battle to unseat incumbent Todd Peterson. "I'm fighting an uphill battle, I know," said Tynes, from Troy State. "I'm trying to win a job so I've got to make every kick. Todd has an advantage. He's been in the league for seven years. I think he can get away with missing some because he's established." · · · GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) - The Cincinnati Bengals remained at odds Monday with first-round draft pick Justin Smith, a defensive end from Missouri, as the team prepares to start its exhibition schedule Saturday at Chicago. The Bengals already, reluctantly, have agreed to Smith's demand for a two-tiered signing bonus. Cincinnati's offer reportedly is for six years and $17.25 million, with the signing bonus accounting for $9 million. It has incentive clauses that could increase the contract's value by an additional $13 million. Smith's holdout entered its 11th day Monday. He and his agent, Jim Steiner, want the Bengals to guarantee his contract. Steiner, didn't return calls for comment Monday. Smith was the fourth pick overall in the April draft. · · · THIBODAUX, La. (AP) -New Orleans offensive lineman Tom Ackerman will not restructure the remaining three years on his contract, a decision that might jeopardize his career with the team. Ackerman, 28, a versatile backup at both guard and center, is scheduled to count $1.7 million against the cap this season. His contract includes a $1.1 million base salary and a $2.2 million signing bonus. Ackerman's agent. Cameron Foster, said he informed Saints general manager Randy Mueller of the decision Sunday. Ackerman and coach Jim Haslett refused to comment on the situation. · · · NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Joe Salave'a broke his right hand Monday. Salave'a said he caught in someone's jersey on the final play of the morning practice. "It will not require surgery," coach Jeff Fisher said. "He will be able to come back on the field hopefully tomorrow afternoon. He may have to take a day off, but he'll be back on the field playing in a cast." · · · PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (AP) - Wide receiver David Terrell reported to Chicago Bears training camp Monday - 10 days late - with words an injury-plagued team sorely needed to hear. "I'm here to try to help this team get into the playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl," said Terrell, the former Michigan selected eighth overall in the 2001 draft. Terrell came to camp after agreeing to a five-year contract Sunday. He already missed the first 19 practices during his hold out, but his presence provided an immediate boost to a team that lost receiver Marcus Robinson for 4-to-8 weeks due to back surgery. Email your... 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