Jackson Still Limited in Practice

Tarvaris Jackson was limited in practice again Thursday, making it look like Kelly Holcomb will be starting against the team he practiced with this offseason.

Tarvaris Jackson was limited in practice for a second consecutive day Thursday, making it a near certainty that Kelly Holcomb will start at quarterback Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Metrodome.

Jackson broke the index finger on his right (throwing) hand in the Vikings’ loss Sunday at Dallas. He said he injured his finger late in a game in which he completed only six of 19 passes for 72 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He posted a 44.2 rating.

If Jackson is unable to play it will mark the third game he has missed this season because of injury.

Jackson sat out losses to Kansas City and Green Bay in Week 3-4 after suffering a strained groin in a loss at Detroit. Holcomb, who was acquired from the Eagles in a trade near the end of training camp, started both of those games.

Asked about his comfort level at this point compared to earlier in the season, Holcomb said: “Much more comfortable. I was comfortable up to a point for the first two games. The first game was really my only live action with the first team. You haven’t been through minicamps and OTAs and training camp with all these (guys).

“It’s a little bit different. I didn’t think myself that it would be that much different. I really didn’t. I kind of took it for granted. But judging the speed of guys and, of course, my arm is not going to overthrow many but I have overthrown a couple there. You feel like whatever happens this week, if I play, I’ll be more comfortable.”

Jackson said his finger feels better “but it still needs time to heal.”

NOTES

P Chris Kluwe has been signed to a six-year contract extension that locks him up through the 2013 season. The deal includes $1.7 million in guaranteed money and is worth a total of $8.3 million. The contract also contains a $225,000 workout bonus.

LB Vinny Ciurciu was limited in practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday because of a high ankle sprain. Ciurciu, a special-teams contributor, did not play last Sunday at Dallas.

S Dwight Smith missed a second consecutive day of practice Thursday and likely will sit out a second consecutive game Sunday because of a hamstring injury.

FB Naufahu Tahi was limited in practice for a second consecutive day Thursday. The special-teams ace did not play at Dallas because of a sprained MCL.

QB Tarvaris Jackson was limited in practice for a second consecutive day because of a fractured index finger on his right (throwing) hand and likely will miss his third game of the season. Jackson sat out in Weeks 3-4 because of a groin strain.

DE Erasmus James (shoulder) was limited in practice for a second consecutive day Thursday. He did not play last Sunday at Dallas.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe (groin) was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

RB Chester Taylor was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a groin injury.

G Anthony Herrera was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a knee injury.