Chris Kluwe arrived in Minnesota for what amounted to a one-game tryout at the start of the 2005 season. Two years later, he can finally consider his job secure.
Kluwe signed a six-year contract extension Thursday that could keep him with the Vikings through 2013. He received a $1.7 million signing bonus and a $225,000 workout bonus in a deal worth a total of $8.3 million -- making him one of the 10 highest-paid punters in the NFL.
"I hoped to make Minnesota my home and it's worked out," Kluwe said.
Kluwe's performance dipped in 2006 as he recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. This season, a league-leading 18 of his punts have been downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
"He's really become a very good directional kicker," coach Brad Childress said. "Obviously he has a strong leg. You can look at all the statistics you want of where he's at in the NFL. We know the value he has to our football team, and we're just glad to have him aboard for an extended period of time and not to have to worry about a punter."
All three Vikings specialists now have long-term contracts. Placekicker Ryan Longwell is signed through 2010 and long snapper Cullen Loeffler's deal expires after the 2011 season.
Kluwe is the second Vikings veteran to receive a contract extension this season. Last month, nose tackle Pat Williams signed a three-year extension worth $22 million.
Holcomb on track
Quarterback Kelly Holcomb took the majority of first-team repetitions in practice Thursday and remains the likely starter for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
A fractured right index finger has limited starter Tarvaris Jackson to 1-on-1 passing drills during the past two days. Jackson's best-case scenario appears to be returning Nov. 4 against San Diego.
"It feels better but it still needs time to heal," he said.
Jackson already has missed two games this season because of a strained groin and is beginning to face questions about his durability.
Asked about the issue Thursday, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said: "You start to think it's a concern anytime that a guy, whether it's a quarterback or whether it's any other position, has the skill level but can't keep it on the field.
"Sometimes you have to say they are very legit injuries," Bevell added. "You have to look at that. Or, is it one where, hey, this guy just always has something. We're still early with [Jackson], really in terms of everything. ... There are still things that he is working on and we'll just have to see how much these injuries affect him or continue to happen."
Taylor injury minor
Childress downplayed a strained groin that has limited Vikings tailback Chester Taylor in practice the past two days.
"You just have to list him [on the injury report]," Childress said.
Taylor is expected to be in uniform against the Eagles but Childress hinted Wednesday that rookie Adrian Peterson's playing time could increase.
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