Holcomb Gets The Start

Quarterback Kelly Holcomb, acquired by the Vikings just before the regular season began, is making his first start in purple as an injury replacement for Tarvaris Jackson.

Quarterback Kelly Holcomb, who has not thrown a pass in a game as a Viking, is starting for the Minnesota Vikings Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Tarvaris Jackson, who started the first two games for the Vikings, is inactive as the team’s third (emergency) quarterback, after suffering a groin strain in last week’s overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. Jackson would only be able to play if Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger are hurt.

Holcomb will have to manage the game without Chester Taylor, who in active again today with a hip injury suffered in the first quarter of the Vikings’ season-opening win over Atlanta. Rookie Adrian Peterson will start in his place with assistance from Mewelde Moore and Naufahu Tahi. Also inactive in the starting backfield is fullback Tony Richardson, the longtime Kansas City Chief who has a forearm injury.

The Vikings are also without starting wide receiver Troy Williamson (hamstring), defensive end Erasmus James (knee) and healthy scratches TE Garrett Mills, T Chase Johnson and DT Fred Evans.

Williamson’s absence leaves the Vikings with Bobby Wade, Sidney Rice, Robert Ferguson and Aundrae Allison as available wide receivers.

Safeties Darren Sharper (hip) and Dwight Smith (hamstring), who were limited in practices this week, are both active, and backup safety Mike Doss is active for the first time this season after working through a calf injury for much of the last month.

Deactives for the Chiefs: CB Rashad Barksdale, FB Boomer Grigsby, S Jon McGraw, LB Johnny Baldwin, G Herb Taylor, WR Eddie Kennison and DT James Reed. Kennison (hamstring) is the only starter among them, and he was listed as out all week.