Minnesota Vikings starters won't play Thursday night against Dallas Cowboys

By Don Seeholzer
dseeholzer@pioneerpress.com

That includes quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who is working his way back from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee but has said he definitely will be ready for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener at Green Bay.

Childress said backup quarterback Gus Frerotte also would be rested Thursday, leaving rookie John David Booty and Brooks Bollinger to divide those duties.

Asked who would lead off, Childress joked: "I'm not that far along yet. I'm not sure if we're down to a coin flip. We may play rock-paper-scissors for it."

All kidding aside, Thursday's game represents a big opportunity for Booty and particularly Bollinger, who have been competing for the No. 3 quarterback job.

"If you figure on both for a half, obviously they want to give a good account of themselves," Childress said, "whether they're handing it off or whether they're making a play on a naked (bootleg) or a screen or a dropback pass. I just want to see where they're at with my system."