Jackson says he's confident he'll start Sunday

QB Tarvaris Jackson worked with the first team during an extended practice today, and he expressed confidence that he'll be fine to regain his starting spot.

"I’m pretty confident," said Jackson, who has missed the last two games with a groin injury, "the way it felt today, and it’s only going to get better. Today, I worked it pretty hard."

Jackson will rest and rehab Tuesday, then he'll re-evaluate things Wednesday.

Coach Brad Childress wouldn’t commit to Jackson as the starter Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but he also expressed confidence in Jackson's return.

Meanwhile, Jackson returned to Montgomery, Ala., where he visited his first child, a son named Tarvaris Jackson II. The boy was born Sept. 14, but Jackson didn't get to see him until Oct. 3 because of the Vikings' schedule.

Some other highlights:

* Childress on the swirling trade reports: "It’s funny, I talked to all of those guys that I saw involved in the print media as we broke here, from (Bryant) McKinnie to Chester (Taylor) to Mewelde (Moore).

"I’m satisfied with where I am at with those guys. It’s early in the year; we are only a quarter of the way through this thing. I just think something would have to jar you to do something like that. (Moore is) a good football player."

* DE Erasmus James’ knee is no longer an issue, Childress said.
Childress indicated it comes down to numbers. But didn't he say during the preseason that James would regain his starting spot, as soon as he was physically able?