Minnesota Vikings Christian Ponder Passes Concussion Test
By Sarita Kelly
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has passed the NFL’s concussion protocol Monday and is clear to start back at practice this week. But Coach Leslie Frazier did not indicate whether or not he would reclaim the starting job from backup Matt Cassel.
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) calls a play during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
“We’ll sit down today as a staff and talk about how we want to go forward at the quarterback position,” Frazier said when he was asked about who would be starting on Sunday against Philadelphia at the Metrodome.
Ponder sat out Sunday at Baltimore after suffering a concussion in the December 1st game against Chicago. Cassel stepped in for the rest of the game at Chicago and played well in the 29-26 loss to the Ravens.
Despite completing only 44.7 percent of his passes, Cassel he had two touchdowns and finished with 265 yards — the most by a Vikings quarterback this season.
“I thought he did some good things, protected the ball, avoided sacks, got us in some good plays,” Frazier said. “We were struggling to stay on field in third down throughout most of the game, and then in the fourth quarter we started hitting our stride a little bit. So I thought he played a pretty solid game.”
This is nothing new for Minnesota this year—the Vikings have seen thier quarterback situation turn round and around this season. Ponder has the most starts with nine games, Cassel three and Josh Freeman one. Cassel has played in all three Vikings victories, and his 84.9 passer rating is the best among the Vikings’ three quarterbacks.