MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -- One of these years, Robert Smith just might play in every Minnesota Vikings game.

Smith is entering his seventh season in the NFL, and has missed at least two games every season.

	The Vikings hope to have a healthy Robert Smith for the entire 1999 season.

But the running back said it's not that he's particularly fragile, he's just had a run of bad luck.

"This is football, not baseball or basketball. If you miss time in football, there are only 16 games," he said. "It's not just a contact sport, it's a collision sport."

In his rookie season of 1993, Smith missed eight games because of the chicken pox, an inner ear infection and a knee injury.

In 1994, he missed three games because of a hip injury. In '95, he sat out seven games with an ankle injury. In '96, he tore ligaments in his knee and missed eight games. In '97, he hurt an ankle and missed two games.

Last year, he had a sprained knee ligament and sat out two games.

So, of a possible 96 regular season games, Smith has played in only two-thirds (64) of them. And that's why he won't see a lot of action during the exhibition season.

"We don't want Robert Smith getting injured," coach Dennis Green said after Wednesday's practice. "Right now we're not using him a great deal. The idea is to come out of training camp and be healthy. He's built for speed and not a lot of heavy-duty contact. As a result of that, he really won't get a chance to rip it up until we play Atlanta in the season opener."

And Smith can rip it up. Despite the injuries, he has two of the three top rushing seasons in Vikings' history, including last season, when he was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time.

He also has two of the top four rushing days in team history. He's got 4,282 career rushing yards, a 4.8 yard-per-carry average and 23 touchdowns.

Smith figures he's good for many more, despite the knee operations.

"Leroy Burrell set the 100-meter dash record after he had knee surgery," Smith said. "I don't think it makes a difference. I don't think the operations hurt anything. If you break your arm, it heals stronger than ever."

Offensive coordinator Ray Sherman said Smith's injuries certainly can't be attributed to his physical conditioning.

"Every time I've been around him, he's always been in great shape," Sherman said. "He looks more physical, a lot stronger than he has in the past. But as far as speed, his speed has always been there."

Smith is also the team record-holder in consecutive carries without a fumble (352). But on one play last week against the Giants, Smith fumbled twice.

"Mistakes will happen to anyone," he said. "It's something obviously I don't try to do. You just go out and try to play your best, whether it's in practice, preseason, shorts, whenever. You just go out and do your best. It was just one of those things."

Under Sherman, who takes over for Brian Billick, Smith's role won't change much. He'll still be the featured back and will still be replaced in goal line situations by Leroy Hoard.

"You have a role to fill and you do your best to do that," Smith said. "Leroy has shown that he's the best at the short-yardage runs."

Sherman said he'd like to have Smith get 20 to 25 carries a game this season.

"But our offense will depend upon who we play," he said. "It depends on what we need to do."

Smith said the only thing that can make him a better runner is to be one who plays every game.

"I don't know if I can play any better," he said. "I just need to stay healthy and fit."