Decision on Jackson yet to be made

David Brewster, Dml - Star Tribune

Tarvaris Jackson

By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune

Last update: August 21, 2008 - 7:33 AM

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Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Tarvaris Jackson did more individual work in practice Wednesday, and he said it is possible Jackson will play Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third preseason game.

Bevell said he understands the notion that, given Jackson's history of injuries, there might be a sense of urgency for him to be on the field to prove that he can play in pain. But Bevell said the team also must be smart about the situation.

"I think it depends on the injury," Bevell said. "It still is the preseason. One, it's important like you said to make it back to show he can tough it out. But if it's a situation where it's not going to help us or help him then you probably don't do that. We just have to see. I know he's a tough kid. He has a legitimate injury. He's pushing hard to get back."

Bevell admitted that Jackson, who suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee Saturday at Baltimore, is likely frustrated by this latest injury. It's the fifth time since his rookie season in 2006 that he has been injured.

"I'm sure there is a little bit of frustration," Bevell said. "You don't want to get a label as an injury-prone guy. The tough thing for him is a lot of them have been legitimate injuries. Sometimes there is just nothing you can do about that. That's part of the game. Maybe this is the last one and he'll go on a 15-year streak and never get hurt again. You really don't know."

Not worried about Rice

Wide receiver Sidney Rice missed the third consecutive day of practice because of what the team described as a virus. Rice also missed one day of practice in Mankato because of an illness. Bevell said he's not too concerned about the time Rice has missed.

"Fortunately we had the OTAs and minicamps and had a lot of time there where we were able to get our timing down and things like that," Bevell said. "He's been a little bit in and out here in training camp. But I really don't foresee it being a problem."

Special-teams plan

Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said Maurice Hicks will see his first action as kick returner on Saturday. The team signed Hicks as a free agent to handle kickoff return duties and be the No. 3 running back, but he did not return kickoffs the first two preseason games. Coach Brad Childress said the staff wanted to evaluate rookies Darius Reynaud and Albert Young in live action.

Ferraro said Aundrae Allison probably will return a kickoff, and the staff also wants to evaluate him further as a punt returner.

"The hard thing in evaluating that right now is he hasn't had some of the opportunities that some of the other guys have had, just in terms of where the ball has been caught and the blocking that we've had for him, giving him a chance to show what he can do," Ferraro said. "We need to get him more repetitions this week to see where he's at. We don't have a No. 1 punt returner right now."

Etc.

• Players who sat out practice were tight end Garrett Mills (ankle) and offensive linemen Drew Radovich (shoulder), John Sullivan (concussion) and Tim Mattran (ankle).