TJ has enough work to do learning proper mechanics and his reads…now he needs to learn when to throw the ball away, or take a knee?….his injury history is becoming a problem…..Aaron Rogers has been given the occasional tag of injury prone, but at this point, he’s tougher than TJ has shown…..I have never believed that TJ was the answer, and now I am concerned more…..all the improvement in the world won’t compensate that fact that he can’t stay healthy….

Jackson won’t play. The 3rd preseason game is important, but not as important as a healthy knee for Jackson. The rest of the team will still get their reps in with a more complex game plan.

Frerotte’s reasonably strong arm means the Vikes can still execute the heavy dose of outs, hitches, and in’s that they almost fully rely on in the passing game. Jackson will be the only one missing the time.

He has a strained MCL. If he plays it will be in a brace.

you make several good points, but WHEN is this kid ever gonna learn? I’m not talking about the ins and outs of being a starting NFL QB…I’m talkin about just what you said….knowing when to throw the ball away and when to take a slide….for christ’s sake, he’s playing in the second preseason game, and he doesn’t have the presence of mind to get down?…and we are led to believe that he’s turning the corner and “getting it” this year….I have my doubts…even AD learned quickly when to choose his battles last year, and grasped the concept that 3 extra yards while risking injury might not be the best play…

as far as Berrian and some other key starters sitting out game 2, it’s meaningless for them….they get, and traditionally, the first half of the third preseason game is really all that matters….now our starting QB is possibly on the shelf, and Gus has to run with the first’s…..might not be a bad idea, cause I feel that TJ ain’t much of an improvement over Gus….

I think Jackson can certainly learn, especially from an injury like this. He has learned better footwork and makes faster decisions, which is clear from the preseason outings. Gus is a solid backup and I like his accuracy on go routes better, but the drop-off in arm strength and mobility make him a #2 option in my mind. I know there is more to being a QB than arm strength, but watching Jackson rip off hitch and out routes into fairly tight coverage before corners can react has me believing he can beat 8 in the box this year. I also like his mobility but he needs to learn to avoid the hit like he did with the 3rd and 11 running conversion earlier in the Baltimore game.

This offense, with its run game, has serious potential. The WR’s are better this year and the QB’s are better. Pass protection has looked solid. I know it is only preseason but they look much better than last years exibition. Also reporters have said the offense and defense are more even this year in practice rather than the defense dominating like last year. This at a time when our defense supposedly got better. I’m excited. The defense has looked poor but I am confident they will turn it around. I don’t even know if our 1st team offense has punted yet this year and the only turnover was due to that idiot Shianco.

Wow – I’m really surprised so many people want to risk our starting QB getting hurt in a pre-season game. Given the stories I’ve read about how TJ punishes himself during workouts, I have no doubt he’s got the mindset and ability to play through pain when need be.

When need be.

Unless your QB’s initials are BF, there are going to be missed games due to injury. I couldn’t find the stats, but this article from last year puts it in perspective.

I think (HOPE!!!) that with so much of the VIkes promise/doubt this year riding on TJ, he’ll realize how he’s letting down the TEAM by being injured and he’s learned his lesson.