McKinnie's status is up in air

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Tuesday he faces a potentially "difficult" decision on the future of left tackle Bryant McKinnie, who pleaded not guilty this week to charges stemming from a Feb. 24 brawl in downtown Miami.

Childress reiterated that McKinnie is "entitled to his due process" before any judgment is rendered. But Childress, who has made personal accountability a cornerstone of his tenure, would not commit to McKinnie's long-term future with the franchise.

Asked if he still considers McKinnie a core member of the team, Childress chose his words carefully.

"I know ... [reporters] don't want to hear, 'Until I get all the facts,'" Childress said. "But we could face some difficult decisions down the road. ... Some [decisions] are tougher than others."

McKinnie has been arrested four times since the Vikings drafted him in 2002, although charges were dropped in two instances. But the multiple offenses make him a candidate for decisive punishment from the NFL if he is found guilty or accepts a plea agreement in Miami-Dade (Fla.) County Court.

The league-imposed sanctions could include a fine and/or a suspension for several games. But Childress' comments Tuesday left open the possibility that McKinnie could face team discipline on top of the NFL's -- or, perhaps, that he could be playing elsewhere in 2008.

Childress has waived a number of players who have exhibited discipline problems, most notably receiver Koren Robinson in August 2006. McKinnie, however, was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2007 and plays one of the most difficult positions in the game.

He has started 87 consecutive games and has one of most lucrative contracts in Vikings history. In total, the deal is worth $48.5 million through the 2013 season and includes $18 million in guaranteed money.

"I'd just say that we've been consistent," Childress said. "[Owner Zygi Wilf] has been consistent with the way we want the Vikings to be represented. I know what Zygi's values are and I know what our collective Vikings values are. I'm just looking for the right words here. It's difficult."

• Defensive end Kenechi Udeze, who is battling leukemia, visited Winter Park briefly Tuesday.

"[He was] just like you know Kenechi, with a smile on his face," Childress said. "He's still moving through the process ... unbelievably positive with where he's at right now."

• Childress said he won't "commit one way or the other right now" on a possible return of defensive lineman Darrion Scott, who remains unsigned on the free agent market. The Vikings also maintain interest in defensive end James Hall, Childress said.

• Defensive end Erasmus James "is going through regular protocol" in his rehabilitation from knee surgery, Childress said, but it is not yet known whether James will be able to practice when the team begins training camp this summer.

• Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly is scheduled to visit Winter Park on April 10, according to his agent.