Childress press conference highlights

Vikings coach Brad Childress concluded his press conference around 1:25 p.m. Here are some highlights:

* LB Ben Leber has a sprained left knee, which he initially injured in Sunday's loss to Chicago. But Leber put on a brace and finished the game. Childress, though, is uncertain whether the injury will keep Leber out of the starting lineup Sunday in Buffalo.

* QB Tarvaris Jackson underwent successful surgery to his right knee Monday morning, Childress said. Jackson is not expected to be sidelined very long. But Childress said the team will work out a few quarterbacks, so Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger are not overwhelmed with repetitions in practice.

* Childress declined to say why CB Fred Smoot did not start against the Bears. But Childress dismissed initial reports that Smoot had a helmet problem.

"That's between Fred and I," Childress said. "I'm not going to put it off as a helmet issue."

* Childress said he would like an explanation from the league about Troy Williamson's offensive pass interference call in the third quarter. The play negated a 36-yard catch by Williamson, who made the play over Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher. There only appeared incidental contact at best.

* Childress again said he liked his matchup of Williamson one on one against Bears cornerback Charles Tillman down the sideline on fourth and 2 on Minnesota's final offensive drive.