Quarterback Still a Question Mark

The Vikings may not know who their starting quarterback is until later this week, but it just doesn’t seem to matter as much with the way they’ve been rushing the ball lately.

A day after Adrian Peterson rushed for an NFL single-game record 296 yards in the Vikings’ victory over San Diego, the main question at Winter Park was who will be handing the ball off to the rookie on Sunday in Green Bay.

Starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson suffered a concussion late in the first half of Sunday’s game, and Kelly Holcomb continues to be bothered by a neck injury.

That means Brooks Bollinger could be in line to start against the Packers. The Vikings also were looking at a list of free-agent quarterbacks and likely will add one for emergency purposes.

Coach Brad Childress said Jackson remains his starter if he’s healthy, but that has not been the case very often this season. Jackson missed two games because of a groin strain and another due to a broken index finger on his right (throwing) hand.

Jackson passed four of the five concussion tests he was given Monday, but that doesn’t mean he will be able to start at Lambeau Field.

“I still have to go with it day-by-day,” Childress said. “I don’t know what day he is going to practice on. He’s got to do some things in terms of more testing. He has got to pass an exercise test on Wednesday, and all of those things challenge where he was at with that concussion.”

Jackson estimated he was knocked unconscious for two minutes after being hit while following a scramble against the Chargers.

Bollinger entered a game for the second consecutive week because of an injury to the Vikings starter and once again played well. He completed seven of 10 passes for 95 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

“I thought Brooks did a great job,” Childress said. “He’s got to prepare himself like he is going to start because of that head injury because you just never when that goes.”

NOTES

Rookie CB Marcus McCauley, who one game after being replaced in the nickel package started and played well Sunday in place of injured Antoine Winfield: “Everybody showed confidence in me. Knowing the guys in the secondary and the guys on the defense have your back and (defensive coordinator Leslie) Frazier having a rookie go out there and play every snap of the game was big to me. If they are going to give me the opportunity, I’m going to take it, and I’m going to make the most of it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to win.”

Veteran S Dwight Smith, a former member of the New Orleans Saints, on rookie sensation Adrian Peterson: “I knew he was special when I first saw him. You have to understand, last year in New Orleans I got to see Reggie Bush because I was with him in minicamps and stuff. When I saw this guy, I knew he was something special. You don’t see guys that big, fast and strong. The way (Peterson) plays football, there is nothing like it.”

Coach Brad Childress on the downfield blocking by the Vikings receivers: “They understand that if the ball is going to break and go past 7 yards, they’re going to have something to do with it. We’re not going to tolerate somebody that’s not trying to stay on you and press you. Really in the long run, it ends up helping you with the play-action game if you get defensive backs chipping at you with the way you’re blocking them and knocking them around. It’s going to help you as you start to play-fake and run by them.”

WR Robert Ferguson suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game and was expected to go undergo further testing Monday.

WR Troy Williamson is expected back Wednesday after missing the past week and Sunday’s game so he could be with his family following the death of his grandmother.

RB Mewelde Moore averaged 14.8 yards on four punt returns Sunday with a long of 42 yards. Coach Brad Childress wouldn’t commit to Moore as his punt returner, but there is a good chance he’ll remain in that role.

WR Bobby Wade had been used on punt returns but was taken out of that spot because of a knee injury. Wade did play in the game and was in for several snaps in the second half.

Rookie WR Aundrae Allison averaged 40 yards on two kick returns Sunday, and he might have landed himself a regular role. Allison had sat out three of the previous four games.