Just came from a sitdown with Wild cach Todd Richards, and he confirmed news I heard from multiple sources today.

Wild center James Sheppard was in an ATV accident yesterday while training in Vail, Colo., and sustained a serious knee injury. Richards called it an injury to his kneecap. He's already had surgery and will miss up to four months.

This was to be an integral season for the maligned Sheppard. The fourth-year center was already on the bubble to make the team with last month's signing of veteran John Madden and the emergence of youngsters Casey Wellman and Cody Almond.

More later.