Jackson's status remains uncertain

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was able to do some work in 7-on-7 drills during Monday's practice, but it remain uncertain if he will play in Thursday's preseason finale at Dallas.

Jackson, who suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the Vikings' second preseason game Aug. 16 at Baltimore, only did work in individual drills last week and did not play Saturday against Pittsburgh. "We were a little more cautious the first week, but it's been a week now, so try to get it going," Jackson said.

He's wearing a brace on his knee and said he isn't experiencing much soreness.

"I don't have my range of motion right now," he said. "Once I get that back in the next couple of days, I should be fine."

It would not be surprising if the Vikings sat Jackson on Thursday and waited until the Sept. 8 season opener at Green Bay to have him take the field again. Jackson has said he definitely will be ready for that game.

Wide receiver Bernard Berrian said he took part in Monday's entire practice after being limited because of a sore toe.

"I feel a little rusty today," said Berrian, who hasn't played the past two preseason games. "I haven't been out there for a while. But [the toe] held up fine."

There also was news involving receivers Sidney Rice and Robert Ferguson.

Rice practiced after missing last week because of a stomach virus that bothered him earlier in training camp. Rice said he is fine. Ferguson was wearing a wrap on his injured right leg suffered Saturday and did not practice. He appeared to have trouble bending his leg. He was kicked in the calf and ankle area laying on the kickoff return unit.

Metrodome workers used a device to "aerate" the FieldTurf in an effort to make the surface softer or fluffier for the preseason game last Saturday.

The Vikings had concerns after losing two players to season-ending knee injuries in the preseason opener against Seattle at the Dome. Linebacker Heath Farwell's injury happened when he was hit from behind on the back of his legs. But defensive end Jayme Mitchell tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while rushing the passer on his first play of the game.

Bill Lester, executive director of Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, said he was not aware of any specific complaints from the Vikings, but he indicated the parties might have had dialogue when asked if the Twins' current 14-game road trip made it convenient to adjust the surface.

"We just wanted to be responsive to the tenant," he said.

Lester said baseball teams prefer the surface to be harder and more compact. Stadium workers can make it that way by using a heavy roller to compact the rubber and sand that are ingrained in the turf. Football teams like the turf to be more spongier or fluffier, which can be achieved with an aeration device.

Lester said it's not unusual for the Dome to aerate the turf before football games. He also said the turf will be rolled once the Twins return from their road trip.

Metrodome workers also added more rubber to the turf, which Lester said is standard when the field is transformed from a baseball venue to football. Lester said turf adjustments are harder to accomplish in a quick change situation, which involves transforming from baseball to football on the same day.

• Defensive end Brian Robison, who had been out since the first week of August after undergoing surgery to repair a varicose vein in his left leg, returned to practice.

• Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said he doesn't expect that safety Madieu Williams will start the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Williams is expected to miss the first three regular-season games because of a neck injury. Putting Williams on the PUP would mean he wouldn't be available for the first six weeks of the season.

• With linebacker Derrick Pope released, rookie linebacker J Leman switched his number from 49 to 55.