The Minnesota Vikings are benching quarterback Tarvaris Jackson in favor of Gus Frerotte.

Coach Brad Childress said Wednesday that Frerotte will start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Jackson started the first two games, both losses. He completed just 51 percent of his passes in those starts, prompting the coach to turn to 37-year-old journeyman Frerotte.

Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson hurt his right knee and was removed in the first quarter of Minnesota’s preseason game Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens.

The injury occurred late in the quarter on a tackle by Baltimore linebacker Antwan Barnes. Jackson was running around right end on a scramble before Barnes caught up to the third-year quarterback and hit him on the leg.

Jackson was then taken down by Dawan Landry and Ray Lewis.

The Vikings’ roster is loaded — except at QB. Regardless, third-year
signal caller Tarvaris Jackson is The Man, and we’ll find out soon what
that means for Minnesota, Clark Judge says.

The Vikings are a trendy pick to win the NFC. That’s why Tarvaris Jackson tops Peter Schrager’s list of young players feeling the heat.