7 tonight, Metrodome
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 1130-AM, 100.3-FM
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
This game is the dress rehearsal for the regular season, although QB Tarvaris Jackson (sprained right knee) almost certainly won't play. Most starters could see time into the third quarter. ... WR Bernard Berrian (toe) is expected to get some playing time but WR Sidney Rice (virus) will not after missing practice all week. ... This will be the 12th time these teams have played in the preseason; the Vikings lead 9-2. The last time they played in the exhibition season was during Brad Childress' first season as coach, in 2006. The Vikings won 17-10. ... S Madieu Williams (neck), TE Garrett Mills (ankle) and DE Brian Robison (leg) are out. OL Drew Radovich (shoulder) and Tim Mattran (ankle) are questionable. OT Marcus Johnson (knee) should return.
ABOUT THE STEELERS
Pittsburgh opened the preseason with a 16-10 victory over visiting Philadelphia before losing 24-21 to Buffalo at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. ... Coach Mike Tomlin plans to play his first-teamers for at least the first half. ... RBs Gary Russell, a former Gopher, and Mewelde Moore, an ex-Viking, are both with the Steelers. Moore, who signed as a free agent this offseason after four seasons with the Vikings, has one rushing attempt and one reception in the preseason. Russell has 35 yards on 13 carries. The Steelers' leading rusher is rookie first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, who has 64 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. .... Second-round WR Limas Sweed has a team-leading five catches for 32 yards. ... S Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and CB Deshea Townsend (groin) are questionable for tonight's game.
JUDD ZULGAD
