Skip to main content

Will Christian Ponder play? Vikings players don't know

Christian Ponder was limited in practice this week because of an elbow injury. Could it actually keep him out of Saturday's playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers?

Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer said Minnesota Vikings players have not been told if Ponder or backup quarterback Joe Webb will start Saturday, but the Vikings are saying Ponder will play.

Meanwhile, The Star Tribune reported it is "looking more likely" Webb will start in Ponder's place, though no final decision has been made.

The elbow issue that afflicted Ponder this week has been diagnosed as bursitis, ESPN Twin Cities' Tom Pelissero reported.

Ponder made a sudden appearance on the injury list Wednesday and was limited throughout the week. He was listed as questionable in Friday's report. Webb split reps with Ponder this week. He has not thrown a pass this season.

Breer: Biggest underdog in playoffs

The Vikings were a mess in 2010. Then the roof caved in. Leslie Frazier was an underdog then and now, Albert Breer says. **More**

Bursitis is a build-up of fluid that might have to be drained before the Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. Ponder had his throwing elbow drained several times as a senior at Florida State.

You could argue that the Vikings -- given what they ask for from their QB -- are the one playoff team that conceivably could survive losing its starter. That said, Ponder is coming off the best game of his NFL career, making his potential loss especially frustrating for a Vikings team that hoped a corner had been turned.

UPDATE: Ponder warmed up before the game but left as Webb continued to throw, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported.

Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.