PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : RAIDERS : Wade Wilson to Start For Vikings

Minnesota Viking Coach Jerry Burns said Wednesday that veteran Wade Wilson will start at quarterback against the Raiders Saturday in the Metrodome.

Wilson was the team’s starter until tearing a ligament in his right (throwing) thumb against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 23. Rich Gannon started 11 games in his place but was removed in favor of Wilson in last Sunday’s 26-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Wilson’s thumb was reportedly very sore Monday, but he said Wednesday the swelling has subsided.

“I don’t anticipate any problems at all,” Wilson said.

The Vikings (6-8) were 5-6 in games Gannon started.

Despite having the NFL’s third-ranked defense, the Raiders placed only one defensive player, Greg Townsend, in the Pro Bowl. Howie Long was picked as an alternate. . . . .After a midseason slump, quarterback Jay Schroeder has moved up to fourth in the AFC quarterback rankings with a rating of 84.8. He trails Buffalo’s Jim Kelly (101.2), Houston’s Warren Moon (99.3) and Kansas City’s Steve DeBerg (93.8). . . . With 838 receiving yards, Willie Gault has surpassed his previous best of 836, set as a rookie with the Bears in 1983. Gault has also established a career high for receptions with 47. . . . What kind of year is Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Randall Cunningham having? He has 223 more rushing yards than Bo Jackson, 828 to 605.