Quarterback Still a Question Mark

It’s pretty clear that Kelly Holcomb won’t be playing Sunday after suffering a neck injury, but the starter likely will revolve around the healing powers of Tarvaris Jackson’s right index finger.

The Vikings quarterback situation did not appear any clearer on Monday, a day after veteran Kelly Holcomb left his team’s loss to Philadelphia in the third quarter because of a neck injury.

Holcomb is expected to be out for a couple of weeks by the whiplash-like ailment, meaning that either Tarvaris Jackson or Brooks Bollinger will get the start against San Diego on Sunday at the Metrodome.

Jackson missed the Eagles game because of a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand. He is scheduled to do some throwing on Tuesday to see what type of progress he has made.

“If Tarvaris can play, he’ll play,” coach Brad Childress said. “I think he has improved. I thought Brooks (Bollinger) did a nice job coming in there with minimum reps, which is very difficult. I thought Kelly did some good things as well, but if Tarvaris can go, he’s going to go.”

Jackson said the strained groin he suffered in Week 2 actually felt much better after he sat out Sunday. Jackson missed two games because of that injury, but the pain had continued to linger. As for his finger, he admitted that remained “a day-to-day thing.”

Bollinger, meanwhile, has yet to start a game in two seasons with the Vikings. He provided the team with a brief spark when he entered Sunday’s game, completing seven of 10 passes for 94 yards with a 99.6 passer rating. Bollinger led the Vikings on two drives that ended in field goals.

Holcomb was feeling fortunate Monday after seeing a replay of his head being slammed into the turf by Eagles defensive end Juqua Thomas. Holcomb, who underwent an MRI and CT scan, did not have any structural damage but did have some bruised vertebrate.

“I had a lot of people tell me yesterday that I was blessed because there have been a lot of people that had the same thing (and) broke their neck,” he said. “Obviously that’s the worst thing that can happen. Looking at it today and the way I hit the ground and bounced off the turf, I was lucky.”

NOTES

RT Ryan Cook has a Grade 1 AC sprain of his shoulder but said he should be able to play Sunday against San Diego.

WR Bobby Wade has a hyperextended knee and a bruised bone in his leg. He will be evaluated this week. It’s expected that Wade will play against San Diego, but he likely will be replaced by Mewelde Moore or Charles Gordon on punt returns.

LB Vinny Ciurciu did some running Monday after missing the past two games because of a high ankle sprain.

S Dwight Smith did some running Monday after missing back-to-back games because of a hamstring injury. Coach Brad Childress was encouraged by how Smith looked.

CB Charles Gordon has replaced rookie Marcus McCauley in the nickel package.

S Darren Sharper after Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia: “You have to get some playmakers. That is one thing you could do. Get some playmakers or let your playmakers be playmakers. That is the answer.”

Sharper on QB Donovan McNabb’s 333-yard passing day against the Vikings defense: “We watch tape and see other teams matched up good against him and see him struggle. Then he comes in here and picks us apart, which might be letting us know we are not as good as we think we are. A guy comes in that against other teams struggles and he comes in here and plays well. That is saying it all right there.”

WR Bobby Wade on what ails the Vikings offense: “It’s way bigger than one person, it’s way bigger than one coach. We have to find a way as a group to accept accountability for what’s going on and make a change. It’s not going to be one person that’s out there that’s going to just lead this team and make it happen.”