Gameday: Vikings vs. Dallas

Time: 7 p.m., Metrodome

TV: Ch. 5. Radio: 1130-AM, 100.3-FM

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-2)

As many coaches do in the final preseason games, Brad Childress plans to use his starters for only one series tonight. This includes quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who has completed 19 of 33 passes for 212 yards with no interceptions in parts of three games. Jackson also has yet to throw a touchdown pass. ... Brooks Bollinger will replace Jackson but the plan is to get the newly obtained Kelly Holcomb some work as well. ... This will be the ninth time these teams have met in the preseason -- the Vikings are 4-3-1 in those games -- but the first time they will play an exhibition in Minnesota. The teams met in the preseason finale last Aug. 31 and played to a 10-10 tie. ... The Vikings and Cowboys will meet again on Oct. 21 in Dallas. ... The Vikings and other NFL teams must cut down to the regular-season roster limit of 53 players by Saturday.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (2-1)

Former Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson will return to the Metrodome tonight and should see plenty of playing time as starter Tony Romo will get limited action. Johnson, who started 14 games for the Vikings last season, has completed 14 of 19 passes for 127 yards with one touchdown and one interception. ... The Cowboys are 2-1 this preseason under Wade Phillips, who was named Dallas' coach last Feb. 8. ... Former Gopher Marion Barber III returns to Minnesota. Barber rushed for 1,084 yards and three touchdowns last season, becoming the fifth different Cowboys running back to reach 1,000 yards in a season. Barber leads the team with 119 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns this preseason. ... The Cowboys receivers coach, Ray Sherman, served as an assistant with the Vikings under Dennis Green. Sherman was the team's offensive coordinator in 1999. The Cowboys quarterback coach is former Viking Wade Wilson.

JUDD ZULGAD