Daunte Culpepper has become one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, and the Minnesota Vikings wanted to make sure he's getting paid like one, too.

Culpepper and the Vikings reached an agreement yesterday to restructure his contract, giving the three-time Pro Bowl player an unspecified raise.

Rob Brzezinski, the team's vice president for football operations, said the new deal — given the blessing of new owner Zygi Wilf — has been in the works since January.

Brzezinski didn't divulge financial terms, other than to confirm that Culpepper was getting an increase from the framework of the $102 million, 10-year contract extension he signed in May 2003. Culpepper's agent, Mason Ashe, also declined to specify — but said that the raise was in the form of both bonuses and annual salary increases.

"He's a premier player in this league, and we felt like his contract needed an adjustment to reflect that," Brzezinski said. "Zygi stepped up, like he's done with everything else."

Players were unavailable for comment yesterday, enjoying their first day off since training camp began last week. The Vikings resume practice in Mankato, Minn., today.

"It's a tremendous gesture, without a doubt," Ashe said, "that the owner recognizes his leadership and his ability and the fact that he's underpaid."

The 10-year deal Culpepper got originally, with one year left on his first contract, included a $16 million signing bonus and keeps him with Minnesota through the 2013 season. His 2005 salary, according to the NFL Players Association's Web site, would have been $540,000. But that's sure to go up substantially.

"We'll see what happens, and, hopefully, as time goes on we can continue to revisit it and keep it at market value," Ashe said.

The 11th pick in the 1999 draft out of Central Florida, Culpepper became a starter in his second season and helped lead the Vikings to the NFC championship. He struggled to play under control over the next two years, frequently making bad decisions and committing a bevy of turnovers — 32 in 2002 alone.

The 28-year-old Culpepper has excelled over the past two years. In 2004, he threw for 4,717 yards and a career-high 39 touchdown passes against 11 interceptions.

EAGLES

RECEIVER OWENS RETURNS TO PRACTICE

Philadelphia wide receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice yesterday at Bethlehem, Pa., after missing the last two days with inflammation in his left groin.

Owens participated in both the morning and afternoon sessions. After wearing full pads for the morning practice, players wore shells and shorts during a brief afternoon workout.

The five-time Pro Bowler was scheduled to sign autographs with the rest of the wide receivers after the morning practice, but was a no-show. The team said he was receiving treatment.

CHIEFS

ALL-PRO TIGHT END GONZALEZ AT PRACTICE

Kansas City All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez was at practice yesterday after X-rays on his injured left foot showed no broken bones.

Gonzalez had surgery on the same foot in the offseason and is being limited to one practice a day during training camp. He was injured during a 1-on-1 drill Saturday night. He came out halfway through yesterday's practice and caught passes on the sidelines.

Running back Priest Holmes sat out the practice after being kicked while being tackled in Saturday night's practice. He will return to workouts today, coach Dick Vermeil said.

REDSKINS

WIDE RECEIVER JACOBS OUT WITH SPRAINED TOE

Wide receiver Taylor Jacobs will be sidelined at least a week with a sprained big left toe.

Jacobs was injured during Washington's scrimmage against Baltimore on Saturday. An MRI revealed moderate swelling but nothing more serious than a sprain.

A second-round draft pick in 2003, Jacobs is vying for the No. 3 receiver spot behind Santana Moss and David Patten.