Free-agent nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu signed a two-year, $6.975 million contract with the Washington Redskins yesterday.

The 6-foot-5, 345-pound Kemoeatu, a Kahuku High alum from Hawai'i, spent last season on injured reserve with the Carolina Panthers after tearing his Achilles' tendon in training camp. He's the older brother of Pittsburgh offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu.

Maake Kemoeatu's agent, Ken Vierra, said in a telephone interview that the tendon is "structurally sound" and Kemoeatu is able to walk and jog but not run yet.

"He's got to really work it from a physical therapy standpoint. He's on schedule. He should be ready for training camp, but you never know," Vierra said.

Kemoeatu has 291 tackles and four sacks in 107 NFL games, including 61 starts, with Carolina (2006-09) and Baltimore (2002-05).

Vierra said the deal includes various bonus provisions, and while it represents a step down from the free-agent deal Kemoeatu had with the Panthers, they recognize he is coming off a serious injury.

"This is clearly a move by the Redskins to say, 'We like you. We believe you can be a guy for us. So we're willing to make an investment and take a risk,' " Vierra said. "And that says a lot."

TOMLINSON TO MEET WITH VIKINGS TODAY

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson is coming to Minnesota for a visit, and the Vikings believe he'd be a good fit.

Tomlinson is scheduled to meet with coach Brad Childress and other members of the organization today. The 2006 NFL MVP was released by the San Diego Chargers last month.

Childress said he assumes Tomlinson realizes he'd be a backup to All-Pro Adrian Peterson.

"I would think he knows that, but I always want to over-communicate clarity so we won't hopscotch around that," Childress said. "We'll have to show him what his role will be."

LAW AND ORDER

DUCKS' MASOLI FACES BURGLARY CHARGES

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli faces a burglary charge in connection with a theft at a campus fraternity house in late January.

The Lane Country District Attorney's office says Masoli, a Saint Louis School alum, and former Oregon receiver Garrett Embry have each been charged with one count of burglary in the second degree.

Masoli and Embry face arraignment in Lane County Circuit Court tomorrow.

The district attorney's office did not respond to a phone call seeking further comment on the case. Representatives for the Ducks also did not respond to e-mails seeking comment.

A fraternity member reported that Masoli and Embry stole two computers and a guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Jan. 25.

SKIING

VONN NEARS OVERALL TITLE IN WORLD CUP

With the arithmetic clearly in her favor, Lindsey Vonn is closing in on a third straight overall World Cup title after finishing second to Maria Riesch yesterday in the season's final downhill at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Three races remain and Vonn holds a commanding 225-point lead over Riesch. Vonn would have clinched the title with a victory, which is worth 100 points.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Team owner Jack Roush said yesterday he's satisfied with the penalty NASCAR levied against driver Carl Edwards (three-race probation) for his intentional accident with Brad Keselowski in Sunday's Sprint Cup Kolbat Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.