Defensive end Kenechi Udeze won't play a single down for the Vikings in 2008, but the franchise is showing its support for the veteran as he fights an acute form of leukemia.

The team recently put Udeze on the reserve/non-football injury list and also informed him that he will be paid his $807,500 base salary for the season.

The Vikings were not obligated to pay Udeze but the decision by owner Zygi Wilf and Co. probably wasn't too difficult.

The Vikings took a major public relations hit last season when receiver Troy Williamson was docked one paycheck after missing a game following the death of his grandmother. The Vikings later reversed the decision and ended up paying Williamson.

Udeze was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February. He was told in April that the disease was in remission and Udeze is scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant. His older brother, Thomas Barnes, is a perfect match for the procedure.

Vikings coach Brad Childress said the team wants Udeze to be able to "focus on getting well," and that taking care of his financial situation will help.

"He's done a great job with that so far," Childress said of Udeze's recovery. "He's been positive. He's been upbeat. What that does is obviously clear his mind of any financial issues, and the organization, particularly the Wilfs, have taken care of that."

Udeze looked happy and fit in April when he spoke publicly for the first and only time about his illness.

"I tell people I have nothing but a cold," he said. "Because that's what it feels like. I'm not feeling down or anything like that. That's the way you have to attack it. You always have to have a good attitude and a good mindset. That's something I naturally have always had. This has been a crazy last three months. With everything that's going on, I honestly feel that everything has been working out for the best."

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