All reports indicate that Kelly Holcomb is set to start in place of still-injured Tarvaris Jackson this Sunday against the Eagles. The latter fractured his finger last weekend and is expected to miss a game. Assuming he does it will be Holcomb’s third start of the season.

“Every guy’s different with thresholds of pain, too,” Holcomb said, in reference to Jackson. “I know he did take some snaps and he did throw the ball. He looked pretty good with a fractured finger, but I can’t say what he’s feeling. I know that guys have played through that, and then I know that guys haven’t. I guess it depends on the person.”

Jackson isn’t an especially good quarterback to begin with. His passer rating this season is an abysmal 48.7 and his touchdown-interception ratio is 2-5. Starting him while injured might not be the best idea considering his previous performances this season. Then again, no one has been successful passing the football this season; the Vikings rank 30th in passing yards per game, averaging just over 150.

The running game, meanwhile, might see a boost in carries for Adrian Peterson. According to the same report (as above), Chester Taylor might be sidelined this weekend. Or, at the very least, his reps may be limited.

Among players on Wednesday’s injury report was running back Chester Taylor, who was listed as a limited participant because of a previously undisclosed groin injury.

The Vikings should probably be giving Peterson more reps in any event. He’s clearly the team’s best ball carrier and he’ll thrive on the touches. It’s been clear all season long the team fares better when he carries the ball, especially late in the game. I understand the argument that the team doesn’t want to wear him down, but with the season already almost dead, why not give him the ball?

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